Color blindness

"Colorblind" redirects here. For the disorder that causes most forms of color blindness, see Congenital red–green color blindness. For other uses, see Color blind (disambiguation).

Color blindness
Other namesColor vision deficiency, impaired color vision[1]
Example of an Ishihara color test plate. Viewers with normal color vision should clearly see the number "74".
SpecialtyOphthalmology
SymptomsDecreased ability to see colors[2]
DurationLong term[2]
CausesGenetic (inherited usually X-linked)[2]
Diagnostic methodIshihara color test[2]
TreatmentAdjustments to teaching methods, mobile apps[1][2]
FrequencyRed–green: 8% males, 0.5% females (Northern European descent)[2]

Color blindness or color vision deficiency (CVD) is the decreased ability to see color or differences in color.[2] The severity of color blindness ranges from mostly unnoticeable to full absence of color perception. Color blindness is usually an inherited problem or variation in the functionality of one or more of the three classes of cone cells in the retina, which mediate color vision.[2] The most common form is caused by a genetic condition called congenital red–green color blindness (including protan and deutan types), which affects up to 1 in 12 males (8%) and 1 in 200 females (0.5%).[2][3] The condition is more prevalent in males, because the opsin genes responsible are located on the X chromosome.[2] Rarer genetic conditions causing color blindness include congenital blue–yellow color blindness (tritan type), blue cone monochromacy, and achromatopsia. Color blindness can also result from physical or chemical damage to the eye, the optic nerve, parts of the brain, or from medication toxicity.[2] Color vision also naturally degrades in old age.[2]

Diagnosis of color blindness is usually done with a color vision test, such as the Ishihara test. There is no cure for most causes of color blindness, however there is ongoing research into gene therapy for some severe conditions causing color blindness.[2] Minor forms of color blindness do not significantly affect daily life and the color blind automatically develop adaptations and coping mechanisms to compensate for the deficiency.[2] However, diagnosis may allow an individual, or their parents/teachers, to actively accommodate the condition.[1] Color blind glasses (e.g. EnChroma) may help the red–green color blind at some color tasks,[2] but they do not grant the wearer "normal color vision" or the ability to see "new" colors.[4] Some mobile apps can use a device's camera to identify colors.[2]

Depending on the jurisdiction, the color blind are ineligible for certain careers,[1] such as aircraft pilots, train drivers, police officers, firefighters, and members of the armed forces.[1][5] The effect of color blindness on artistic ability is controversial,[1][6] but a number of famous artists are believed to have been color blind.[1][7]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Gordon N (March 1998). "Colour blindness". Public Health. 112 (2): 81–4. doi:10.1038/sj.ph.1900446. ISSN 0033-3506. PMID 9581449.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Facts About Color Blindness". NEI. February 2015. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  3. ^ "Colour vision deficiency (colour blindness)". nhs.uk. 18 October 2017. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  4. ^ Gómez-Robledo L (2018). "Do EnChroma glasses improve color vision for colorblind subjects?". Optics Express. 26 (22): 28693–28703. Bibcode:2018OExpr..2628693G. doi:10.1364/OE.26.028693. hdl:10481/57698. PMID 30470042. S2CID 53721875.
  5. ^ "OSHA does not have requirements for normal color vision. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration". www.osha.gov. Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  6. ^ Marmor MF, Lanthony P (March 2001). "The dilemma of color deficiency and art". Survey of Ophthalmology. 45 (5): 407–15. doi:10.1016/S0039-6257(00)00192-2. PMID 11274694.
  7. ^ Marmor MF (February 2016). "Vision, eye disease, and art: 2015 Keeler Lecture". Eye. 30 (2): 287–303. doi:10.1038/eye.2015.197. PMC 4763116. PMID 26563659.