While most of us likely don’t give much thought to our daily vision, there are other individuals who suffer from visual ailments, such as color blindness or blurry vision.
Most of us don’t even think about what it would be like to be color blind, even though we hear about this expression all the time.
What Is Color Blindness?
Color blindness typically affects more men than it does women and is something that is usually genetically passed down. Most individuals that are color blind can see clearly; however, its their ability to see certain colors is impaired.
Imagine a world wherein the colors red, green, or blue or not highlighted for you. This is typically what a color blind individuals deals with. These hues are not as apparent for them as they are for other individuals.
That means beautiful bright green color of grass may appear as a pale hue to them.
Red, green, and blue are the colors that color blind people typically cannot see fully. Red/green color blindness being the most common type that individuals are afflicted with.
These individuals have difficulty with colors that have the red/green hue to them. Colors such as blue and purple are also easily confused due to the fact that the red in the purple is unrecognizable.
Types, Diagnosis, and Treatment
While there are several types of color blindness, the best way to diagnose it is to have an examination with your optometrist. An optometrist can perform a color vision test, especially if you have a child that you suspect to be color blind.
There are several tests to measure impairments with color vision and your optometrist will be able to guide you further along the way. The most commonly utilized test detects red/green color impairments and defects in your vision.
There is typically no substantial treatment for color blindness. Sometimes visual problems occur due to simple aging, the use of medication, or an eye injury; treatment, if any, would depend on the cause.
If a cataract, for example, causes color blindness then removing the cataract would most likely treat the symptoms.
Colored contact lenses or filters and special glasses that will aid in blocking glare may be a temporary aid; however, some individuals feel that these aids don’t offer much assistance.
Therefore, if you think that you or a child in your family may be affected by color blindness, its important to get them tested as early on as possible. Passing this information on to the important people in your child’s life is what can make their lives more successful.
For more imformation visit http://www.colourblindawareness.org/colour-blindness/
