Color blindness, or color vision deficiency, is a condition that affects how a person perceives color. Despite its name, most people who are color blind can see colors, but they have difficulty distinguishing between certain shades.
How Color Vision Works
The retina contains two types of light-sensitive cells: rods and cones. Cones are responsible for color vision. There are three types of cones, each sensitive to different wavelengths corresponding to red, green, and blue. When one or more types don’t function properly, color blindness results.
Types of Color Blindness
The most common form is red-green color blindness. Blue-yellow color blindness is less common. In very rare cases, a person may have complete color blindness (achromatopsia).
Causes of Color Blindness
Color blindness is most often inherited, passed through the X chromosome from mother to son. Approximately 8% of men and 0.5% of women of Northern European descent have red-green color blindness.
Testing for Color Blindness
At Ewing Optical, our comprehensive eye exams include color vision testing. The Ishihara test, which uses colored dot patterns, is the most common method. Early detection is especially important in children.
For a consultation and to schedule an appointment contact us today at (561) 798-0244.