While most people see color the same way, a portion of the population – about 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women – have color blindness. What exactly does this mean? There are many individuals who think it involves seeing the world in black and white, but in reality, color blindness comes in many varieties; your eye doctor is here to give you a quick look at the different kinds.
What Causes Color Blindness?
When light enters the lens at the front of your eye, it is focused onto the retina, which is made up of nerve cells called photoreceptors that contain pigments known as rods and cones. The cones in your photoreceptors are what let you see color. There are three kinds of cone cells: blue-sensitive, green-sensitive, and red-sensitive.
If any of your cone cells aren’t working properly, your ability to perceive certain colors will be affected. In other words, color blindness is the result of an issue with the cones in your eyes. In many cases, malfunctioning cones are a genetic problem, although they can also be a side effect of certain diseases or injuries.
What Types of Color Blindness Are There?
There are three main types of color blindness:
- Red-Green Color Blindness: This is the most common type of color blindness. It involves an issue with your red-sensitive or green-sensitive cones. Sometimes the problem might be that the cones aren’t functioning properly, causing certain colors to look different. (For example, an issue with green-sensitive cones can cause yellow and green to look redder.) In other cases, red-sensitive cones or green-sensitive cones may not work at all.
- Blue-Yellow Color Blindness: Like with red-green color blindness, the problem lies with cones that either don’t work correctly or at all. Some people end up developing blue-yellow color blindness as a consequence of an eye disease such as glaucoma.
- Complete Color Blindness: The other types of color blindness occur when there is only one kind of malfunctioning cone cell. Meanwhile, complete color blindness involves an issue with at least two kinds of cones. If none of the cones are working properly, the result is a total inability to perceive color.
Can Color Blindness Be Cured?
Currently, there is no known way to cure any kind of color blindness. However, there are special glasses and contact lenses that can help improve color vision. Furthermore, many people with color blindness use smartphone apps that aid them in identifying colors in everyday situations, such as picking matching clothes.
While no one wants to have to deal with color blindness, most people with this condition are able to function in their day-to-day lives without any issues. The best thing you can do when you have color blindness is to talk to your eye doctor; they can help you figure out what steps you can take to manage it.
About the Author
Dr. Nayiri Ajoian is our trusted optometrist at EyeSmile Dentistry and Optometry of Belmont. She graduated from the New England College of Optometry in Boston with clinical honors. She often goes to symposiums, workshops, seminars, and the annual optometric conference to continue building her clinical skills. During a detailed eye exam, she can identify color blindness as well as a variety of other vision issues. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Ajoian, visit her website or call (617) 484-7869.