Color Vision Deficiency

What is color vision deficiency?

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA) color vision deficiency is the inability to distinguish certain shades of color or in more severe cases, see colors at all. The term "color blindness" is also used to describe this visual condition, but very few people are completely color blind.

 Most people with color vision deficiency can see colors, but they have difficulty differentiating between

• Particular shades of reds and greens (most common) or
• Blues and yellows (less common).

People who are totally color blind, a condition called achromatopsia, can only see things as black and white or in shades of gray.

What are the causes of color vision deficiency?

Usually, color deficiency is an inherited condition caused by a common X-linked recessive gene, which is passed from a mother to her son. But disease or injury damaging the optic nerve or retina can also result in loss of color recognition. Some specific diseases that can cause color deficits are:

• diabetes
• glaucoma
• macular degeneration
• Alzheimer's disease
• Parkinson's disease
• multiple sclerosis
• chronic alcoholism
• leukemia
• sickle cell anemia

Other causes for color vision deficiency include aging, exposure to certain chemicals such as fertilizers and styrene, even certain medications such as drugs used to treat heart problems, high blood pressure, infections, nervous disorders and psychological problems can affect color vision.

How is color vision deficiency diagnosed?

Color deficiency can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing will include the use of a series of specially designed pictures composed of colored dots, called pseudisochromatic plates, which include hidden numbers or embedded figures that can only be correctly seen by persons with normal color vision.

You can read more about Color Vision Deficiency at http://www.aoa.org/color-deficiency.xml

We hope this article has inspired you to visit your local optometrist. Your vision is priceless and a thirty minute appointment once a year is certainly something you should be able to commit too. Getting your eyes tested regularly will help you stay on top of your general health, eye diseases and even headaches!

Even if you don’t wear glasses and your eyes are feeling fine, and are wondering why you should get an eye exam then you should know that during an eye exam the doctors look directly at your blood vessels which can reveal early warning signs of serious health problems such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes before the symptoms show up anywhere else in the body.

20/20 Eyeglass Superstore is a family owned and operated business with locations throughout central Florida.  We look forward to becoming your trusted source for everything related to eye care, glasses and contacts.  Should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us anytime.