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The term “color blindness” can create some confusion. A more accurate term for the condition is color vision deficiency (CVD), as it isn’t actually a form of blindness. To provide clarity on what color blindness entails, ophthalmologist Dr. William K. Wong at Hawaii Vision Clinic on Oahu shares some helpful information.

An Ophthalmologist’s Guide to Color Blindness

What Is Color Blindness?

Color blindness is the reduced ability to see certain light on the color spectrum. While it does not affect sharpness, the condition impacts the ways in which colors are perceived. In some extremely rare cases, individuals are unable to see any color at all. The most common type of CVD is red-green color blindness, in which colors with red or green in them, such as purple and pink, become challenging or impossible to differentiate. A small percentage of people with CVD also have a reduced ability to see blue and yellow.

What Causes the Condition?

ophthalmologistColor blindness is hereditary, and often, it’s inherited through the mother. There are also some diseases which can cause the condition, including multiple sclerosis, cataracts, Parkinson’s disease, and Kallmann syndrome. Certain medications, such as drugs for epilepsy, are also linked to CVD, although it might be a temporary symptom.

Who Is at Risk?

Men are more likely to experience color blindness than women. While it affects roughly one in 12 men worldwide, only one woman in 200 is affected. Because the genes responsible for the condition are on the X chromosome, children whose mothers are color-blind are more likely to have the condition, as women have two X chromosomes. Inherited color blindness may appear at any time during a person’s life.

If you’re experiencing difficulty seeing colors or have any other vision concerns you’d like to address, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Honolulu’s premier ophthalmologist. With two convenient locations, Hawaii Vision Clinic makes it simple to maintain your eye health. Their facilities offer advanced technology to provide the best quality of care for their patients. Learn more about their services by visiting their website, or call (808) 487-7938 for the Aiea location or (808) 594-9194 for the Honolulu office.

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