What Is Color Blindness? - Eye M.D.-approved information from EyeSmart and MORE ▲ NEW TOPIC PAGE

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Color Blindness

12/20/2012 11:00 AM EST

Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Related MedlinePlus Page: Color Blindness

What Is Color Blindness? - Eye M.D.-approved information from EyeSmart

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Color blindness occurs when you are unable to see colors in a normal way. Most commonly, color blindness (also known as color deficiency) happens when someone cannot distinguish between certain colors, usually between greens and reds, and occasionally blues.

• What Is Color Blindness?
• Color Blindness Symptoms
• Who Is at Risk for Color Blindness?
• Color Blindness Causes
• Color Blindness Diagnosis and Treatment

In the retina (the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye), there are two types of cells that detect light: rods and cones. Rods detect only light and dark and are very sensitive to low light levels. Cone cells detect color and are concentrated near the center of your vision. There are three types of cones that see color: red, green and blue. The brain uses input from these three color cone cells to determine our color perception.
Color blindness can occur when one or more of the color cone cells are absent, nonfunctioning, or detect a different color than normal. Severe color blindness occurs when all three cone cells are absent, and mild color blindness occurs when all three cone cells are present, but one cone cell functions abnormally to detect a different color than normal.
There are different degrees of color blindness. Some people with mild color deficiencies can see colors normally in good light but have difficulty in dim light. Others cannot distinguish certain colors in any light. The most severe form of color blindness, in which everything is seen in shades of gray, is uncommon. Color blindness usually affects both eyes equally and remains stable throughout life.
Color blindness is usually something that you have from birth but it can be acquired later in life. Change in color vision can signify a more serious condition. Anyone who experiences a significant change in color perception should see an ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.).