Introduction
The question as to how many types of color deficiency exist needs to be clarified. The categories seem nested, and some conditions are designated as distinct conditions manifested similarly. Thus, to make the classification of color blindness more interesting, its variations have been further divided into acquired and inherited types. The need is to break it down step by step to clarify and better understand it. Color blindness is inherited genetically through mutation, a fairly common condition among many. Most people tend to see various colors, but some colors are seen differently than others. There is also a need for more clarity in telling the difference between certain shades and colors. The rarest form of color blindness makes the person unable to see any color.
What Is Color Blindness?
It is the inability to see the colors in a normal way and to distinguish between colors. This usually happens between the greens, reds, and occasionally blues. Within the retina of the eyes, two types of cells, called the rods and cones, detect the light. The rods detect only light and are sensitive to low light levels. The cones, on the other hand, detect colors and are concentrated in the center of the vision.The three types of cones that see the color are red, green, and blue.The human brain uses these cone cells to determine color perception. Color blindness happens when one or more cone cells are not working or tend to detect different colors other than normal. A severe color blindness is observed when all three cone cells are absent. Mild color blindness happens when all three cone cells are present, but one is not working right. It detects a different color than normal. However, there are different types and degrees of color blindness.
What Are the Symptoms and Causes of Color Blindness?
The symptoms of color blindness can range from mild to severe. Many people might have or experience mild symptoms but may remain unaware that they have color blindness. The symptoms mainly include trouble seeing the colors and their brightness in a usual way. Inability to see the difference between shades of the same colors. Except in its most severe form, color blindness does not affect the sharpness of vision. There can also be an inability to see any color or everything in the shades of gray.
Most people are born with this condition, which exists congenitally. A complete or partial lack of retinal cones causes it. These cone cells help distinguish between colors. Color blindness may occur later in life due to trauma, disease, toxic drug effects, or metabolic or vascular disease. The disease-specific color blindness often tends to affect both eyes differently. The color vision defect due to disease worsened with time.
What Are the Different Types of Color Blindness?
To make it more specific, color blindness has been classified as acquired and inherited types. In the inherited type, people have trouble seeing various spectrums of light. The gene that codes for correct cone functions passed down from parents has an error. Color blindness results from damage to one or more cone cells of the retina, which falls under the category of anomalous trichromacy. The individual's eye's three cone cells (red, green, and blue) are not functioning.
1. Red Green Types:
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Protanopia (AKA Red-Blind): No red cones.
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Protanomaly (AKA Red-Weak): Have red cones, can see some shades of red.
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Deuteranopia (AKA Green-Blind): No green cones present.
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Deuteranomaly (AKA Green-Weak): Have green cones; some shades of green can be seen.
2. Blue Yellow:
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Tritanopia (AKA Blue-Blind): No blue cone present.
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Tritanomaly (AKA Blue-Weak): Blue cones are present, and some shades of blue can be seen.
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Monochromacy (Achromatopsia): No colors can be seen at all.
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Tetrachromacy: Four types of light-absorbing cones.
3. Acquired Types of Color Blindness: This is not always inherited. Environmental factors cause it. It is dependent on factors like age, alcohol consumption, brain trauma, chronic illness, and environmental chemicals.
Who Is at Risk for Color Blindness?
Men are reported to have a higher risk of being born with color blindness than women, who seldom have problems. One in ten males is estimated to have some or other form of color blindness. It is more common among men of European descent. Some conditions increase the risk of color blindness, like diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc. Certain drugs also increase the risk of color blindness, like Hydroxychloroquine, which is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
How to Get Color Blindness Diagnosed?
The ophthalmologist will conduct tests that consist of patterns made up of multi-colored dots; if there is no color deficiency, then numbers and shapes amongst dots can be seen. If someone is color blind, finding numbers and shapes in the pattern will be very hard. Nothing can be seen in the pattern at all.
What Are the Different Types of Treatment for Color Blindness?
There is no treatment for congenital color blindness. There is usually no significant disability associated with it. Special contact lenses and glasses are often recommended. If it is related to certain drugs or eye conditions, then discontinuing the medication and treating the underlying eye condition would help. The perception of contrast can be enhanced by wearing colored contact lenses and filtering over the eyeglasses, but such lenses still do not improve the ability to see all colors. Rare retinal disorders can be treated via gene therapy replacement therapy. However, these treatments are under study but might become available. It must be remembered that no accessory can fix color blindness. The Enchroma glasses can be used only to increase the color contrast.
There are many apps in today’s world that can help these color-blind people navigate easily. One such app is color blind Pal, which helps to see the colors more clearly on screen. It includes features like describing the color. It can isolate the color to differentiate it. It can even overlay the pattern on a designated color.
Conclusion:
It must be remembered that people who are color blind can lead a perfectly normal life, but certain professions can be challenging but can be managed with utmost care. From the common red-green deficiency to rarer blue-yellow variations, understanding these conditions fosters empathy and encourages design considerations for a more inclusive environment.
