About Colorblindness

The causes of color blindness vary between hereditary factors and acquired conditions. According to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, while some people may be genetically predisposed to colorblindness because a blood relative was born with the condition, others may acquire color blindness from an injury that damages the nerves in the eyes, or exposure to medications that carry a risk of colorblindness. Colorblindness affects more men than women.

What is Colorblindness?

• NYU Langone Medical Center explains that colorblindness is most often a result of chemicals within the eye that do not function as they should. The retina inside the eye consists of "cones" that contain chemical receptors capable of retrieving colors and transmitting them to the brain for processing. A lack of cone chemicals, or the production of less than normal amounts, makes it difficult for the brain to properly decipher colors.

Symptoms

• The level of colorblindness that is experienced by an individual is dependent on the origin of his condition. Most commonly, a person who sufferers from colorblindness has a difficult time distinguishing between red and green but sometimes the colors blue and yellow may also be a problem. St. Luke's Cataract & Laser Institute explains that patients who experience hereditary colorblindness may experience a complete absence of color; viewing everything in gray scale. In extreme color blindness scenarios, involuntary eye movements and a reduction in total vision is also a possibility.

Diagnosis

• A diagnosis of colorblindness is determined by a doctor known as an ophthalmologist who specializes in disorders of the eye. The ophthalmologist will conduct one or several tests to determine if colorblindness is an issue. According to Healthline, the American Optical/Hardy, Rand and Ritter Pseudoisochromatic test is commonly used to help with the determination. The test, consisting of cards with numbers that are camouflaged by colored dots, is only discernible to those that can see colors.

Treatment

• Unfortunately, there is no cure for colorblindness. But, it is still possible for someone with the disorder to "learn" to distinguish the difference between colors with treatment. In fact, with the help of color corrective lenses, the extent of colorblindness can be reduced; giving the wearer the advantage of recognizing slight color variances. In some cases, colorblindness can be treated surgically.

Prevention/Solution

• There is no way to predict whether a person will experience the symptoms of colorblindness, even if they are predisposed. But, certain diseases such as, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis and Retinitis Pigmentosa, can increase the chances of a person acquiring colorblindness. The exposure to some medications can also trigger colorblindness in some individuals: High blood pressure prescriptions, barbiturates and anti-tuberculosis medications are known to have the possibility of colorblindness as a side effect.