What is Color Blindness?
Color blindness is a typically genetic deficiency which impairs one's ability to differentiate between color tones. Our color perception is dependent upon the cones found in the eye. People are commonly born with three varieties of cones, each perceiving different wavelengths of color tone. When it comes to shades of color, the length of the wave is directly related to the perceived color tone. Therefore, the type of cone that is affected or missing impacts the nature and level of the color blindness.
Since this is a sex-linked genetically recessive trait, color deficiency is more frequent in men than in females, and can limit choices of jobs. As part of every new eye exam, we routinely screen for color blindness using the Ishihara test, a simple series of plates that even preschool children can manage in less than one minute.
Although genetic color blindness can't be corrected, there are some measures that can assist to improve the situation. A tinted lens can often aid people to distinguish differences between colors. Increasingly, computer applications are also becoming available that can assist people to differentiate color better depending on their specific diagnosis.
If you notice signs that you or a child might have a color vision deficiency, why not schedule an exam at our Wappingers Falls, NY eye care practice?
Like us on Facebook
Follow our Tweets
Connect via LinkedIn
Find & Review us on Google
Review us on Yelp!