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Color blindness can impact the way you see the world and make it difficult to distinguish between different colors. Although this condition is usually harmless, it’s important to see an eye doctor if it comes on suddenly. Here’s more information about color blindness.

What Is Color Blindness?

Color blindness affects a person’s ability to see color normally. The most common type is red/green color blindness. This condition makes it harder for individuals to distinguish between red and green, as well as colors that include these shades, including pink and purple.

It’s also possible for a person to have reduced sensitivity to blue light or no perception of color at all, but both of these conditions are rare. Most people adjust to being color blind very well but might have trouble with certain jobs, like interior design or being a pilot.

What Causes It?

About 8% of all men and 0.5% of all women suffer from color blindness, and 99% of them have the red/green variety. That means there are about 300 million colorblind people in the world.

Color blindness is caused when the cones in the eye responsible for color vision fail. Most people are born with colorblindness. It’s a genetic condition that’s passed down from the mother. In this type of color blindness, certain cones may be deficient or missing altogether. 

eye doctorHowever, some people might start having symptoms of color blindness later in life. This may be caused by Parkinson’s disease, cataracts, Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, Kallman's syndrome, or certain medications. If you have one of these conditions and are experiencing color blindness, consult with your eye doctor for help and possible solutions.

What Are the Symptoms?

If you’re color blind, you have trouble distinguishing certain colors from one another. People might sometimes tell you that the colors you think you’re referring to are wrong, and you might have trouble sorting objects based on color alone.

Your vision won’t be entirely in black and white. Instead, certain hues will look washed out and similar to other colors. If you’ve had these symptoms since you were a child, they’re nothing to worry about. However, if they come on quickly, this could be a sign of an underlying issue. Visit your eye doctor immediately for help.

 

Eric G. Stocker, OD is the right eye doctor for you. He and his staff have been serving Amherst, OH, and Lorain County for nearly 30 years, and they can help you with your questions about color blindness or other vision issues. They’re open two Saturdays out of the month to help accommodate your busy schedule. Visit their website for more information or call (440) 988-4419 to set up an appointment.

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