Color blindness is a condition that affects the eyes and causes someone to view colors differently. It’s something that our Fresno optometrist tests for in our office, especially in young children. People with color blindness may have trouble seeing shades of red, green or blue (or a combination of those colors) and instead see them as shades of gray or in more muted tones. Some people may even still be able to see the color, but cannot distinguish what shade the color might be, say, for instance, between forest green and emerald green. Color blindness affects men much more often than women, but what actually causes it?
Where Color Blindness Comes From
Genetics
The most common cause for color blindness can be found in your genetics. The condition can be passed down from your parents, and even though they may not be color blind, they can pass the gene for it along to you and your siblings.
Diseases
People who suffer from diseases for an extended period of time can develop color blindness. These diseases can include diabetes and multiple sclerosis along with a variety of diseases that affect the eyes. There have been some cases where cataracts have affected how people see color, as well.
Treatment Options for Color Blindness
Unfortunately, in most cases, there isn’t much that can be done to correct color blindness. However, most people who have the condition report that it has little effect on their day-to-day life. They learn how to differentiate colors based on context clues or simply by memorization, such as the order that the lights appear on a traffic signal. Some people have found that wearing colored contact lenses or glasses can help enhance their color vision. If the cause of the color blindness is due to an injury or illness, there may be some medical treatments that can restore color vision.
We Offer Color Blindness Tests
If you suspect that you or a loved one may be dealing with color blindness, Signature Optometry offers testing that can help you determine what type of color blindness may be present as well as the severity of the condition. We may even be able to provide treatment options or suggestions on how to deal with the condition in day-to-day life. This is an especially important exam for young children as they start their education! Make an appointment for an eye exam and let us know that you are interested in a color blindness test, as well. We’ll get you scheduled for it right away. Fill out the form below to contact our Fresno optometrist today.