| Color
Blindness |
| Table
of Contents |
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Alternative
Names
color blind; color blindness; colorblindness |
Definition
The inability to perceive colors in a normal fashion. |
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Causes,
Incidence and Risk Factors
Colorblindness is an inherited condition that is sex linked recessive.
As a result, very few women are colorblind but approximately 1 in 10 men
has some degree of colorblindness.
The most
common form of colorblindness is red-green and has a wide range of variability
within this group from very mild to extreme. The second most common form
is blue-yellow, and a red-green deficit is almost always associated with
this form. The most severe form of colorblindness is achromatopsia, the
inability to see any color, and is often associated with other problems
such as amblyopia (lazy eye), nystagmus, photosensitivity, and extremely
poor vision.
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Prevention
Colorblindness is an inherited disorder. Because colorblindness is seldom
a problem in life, genetic counseling is not generally indicated. |
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Symptoms
- the inability
to see colors with the same intensity as normal individuals
Note: symptoms
may be so mild that affected people are unaware they are colorblind unless
specifically tested. Parents may notice colorblindness in a more severely
affected child at the time the child would normally learn colors.
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Signs
& Tests
Several color vision tests are available through your physician or eye
specialist (ophthalmologist). Testing for colorblindness is commonly performed
along with other vision screenings. |
Treatment
There is no known treatment. People with this condition need to learn
to cope. |
Expectations
(Prognosis)
Colorblindness is a life-long condition. Most affected people cope without
difficulty. |
Complications
Colorblindness may exclude people from some jobs, such as being a pilot,
where color vision is essential. |
Calling
your doctor/health care provider
Call for an appointment with your health care provider or ophthalmologist
if you suspect colorblindness. |