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Types Of Color Blindness And How To Check For It?

About 300 million people suffer from color blindness worldwide. The term, in itself, however, is deceptive. Most persons who suffer from color blindness are not blind. Their vision is perfectly fine. Only colors cannot be distinguished by them.

Moreover, certain hues are associated with difficulty to discern between them (certain shades of the same color). They are not completely color-blind. In-depth information about color blindness and other aspects of the condition will be covered in this article.

What Is Color Blindness?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology defines color blindness as the inability to perceive colors normally. Color deficiency, another name for color blindness, is appropriate given that people with this condition can't fully distinguish between colors. Only some hues (shades), depending on the ailment and its severity, aren't perceived by people who are color blind.

However, certain individuals can be, in the true sense, fully color blind. Such situations, in which people are unable to distinguish any color, are extremely uncommon. They only perceive the world in shades of black, grey, and white as a result of this disorder.

What Are The Different Types of Color Blindness?

In our retina, there are three different kinds of cones: L, M, and S. These cones respond to different light wavelengths of distinct colors, altering how humans see. The L cones respond to red, the M cones to green, and the S cones to blue. Color blindness can be broadly divided into three categories: monochromacy, dichromacy, and anomalous trichromacy.

Monochromacy

When one or fewer of the three types of cones are absent or not functioning properly, monochromacy results. Cone monochromacy and Rod monochromacy are the two subtypes of monochromacy.


Cone Monochromacy: This is when only one type of cone is working properly. It gets exceedingly difficult to distinguish between various colors.



Rod Monochromacy: Achromatopsia is another name for it. When none of the cones are working properly, a person has rod monochromacy, in which case only rods are used for vision. Thus, the world is only seen in black and white for those who are color-blind.

Dichromacy
Dichromacy is a state where one out of three cones either does not exist or cannot pick up wavelengths. Dichromacy comes in three varieties, depending on the cone that is having problems.


Protanopia: Red hue cannot be detected because of an L cone deficiency.

Deuteranopia: M cone deficiency affecting the ability to see that shade of green.

Tritanopia: Blue color vision is affected by S cone deficiency.

Anomalous Trichromacy

In anomalous trichromacy, all the cones are there, but they are not properly positioned to sense the various color wavelengths. Similar to dichromacy, there are three different types of anomalous trichromacy: protanomaly, deuteranomaly, and tritanomaly.

Protanomaly: L cones are not aligned, making our eyes less sensitive to the red color.

Deuteranomaly: Because M cones are out of alignment, sensitivity to the color green is reduced.

Tritanomaly: Blue color insensitivity is caused by the S cones not being in alignment.

What Are The Symptoms Of Color Blindness?

The most typical signs of color blindness include:

The color distinction is difficult (commonly between red and green)
Inability to interpret shades of the same or similar colors.

What Are Different Color Blindness Tests?

Based on the symptoms you list, your doctor will do a few tests to determine the sort of color blindness you have. You will be asked to distinguish between distinct hues or shades of colors on a screen for the majority of these exams.


Farnworth-Munsell 100 Hue Test: This test checks your ability to differentiate between different shades of a color by lining them alongside each other.

Cambridge Color Test: Your doctor will ask you to point out a C that stands out from its background in terms of color.


Ishihara Color Test: This examination evaluates red-green color blindness. Your doctor will ask you to identify numbers and shapes on a dotted background.

What Is The Treatment For Color Blindness?

As previously stated, there is no known cure for color blindness. In contrast, if it is not inherited, there are several ways to lessen its effects. A few lenses and eyewear options are available that can lessen color blindness' negative effects.


A few lifestyle adjustments can help us live a normal life until a cure is found. This way of life adjustments can lessen the effects of color blindness. For instance, recognizing signal lights while driving can be one of the major difficulties we can encounter as a result of color blindness.

Summing It Up

If you or a member of your family is color blind, there is no need for concern. It is not life-threatening or even a serious health problem. Patients who have it can live a regular life just like anyone else. You would not face any major concerns in carrying out day-to-day activities.

However, you will require assistance with certain tasks, such as distinguishing between red and green traffic signals. However, with time and practice, help becomes unnecessary. Glasses and gene therapy are already showing promise in playing a vital role in assisting in the treatment of color blindness.

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