What Is Colorblindness & Why Does it Happen?

Most of us are able to enjoy the vibrant colors around us. People who have a color vision defect don't see colors normally. In a majority of cases, only a few colors are affected, and all others are normal.

"Color Blind" vs. "Color Deficient"

• The common term "color blind" implies that the individual can't see any colors normally. Instead, someone who can see most colors normally should be called "color deficient." Only a small percentage of people are fully color blind, unable to see any colors normally.

Causes

• Both color blindness and color vision deficiencies are genetic. Due to inheritance patterns, these deficiencies are much more common in men than in women.

  The cones, visual cells in the retina that contain light-absorbing pigments, contain incorrect pigments in someone unable to properly see color.

Effects

• Someone with a color vision deficiency may be at a disadvantage compared to someone able to see full color. For instance, they would not perform well in a career that requires discerning among colors, such as air or water navigation.