Many aspects of the world rely on color perception, from traffic lights to art. If your eye doctor has diagnosed you with color blindness, it can come as a surprise, and there are several questions you might have about the condition and your eye care. To familiarize you with the basics, here's a brief guide.

What Causes It?

Color blindness affects millions of people around the world. It can be inherited or acquired as a complication from a long-term disease, such as diabetes. While the exact physical causes are disputed, the most supported theory is that there's a faulty cone (parts of your eye that perceive light as color) or pathway between the cone and the brain, resulting in a decreased ability to perceive certain colors.

What Are the Types?

Color blindness is separated into three different types: anomalous trichromacy, dichromacy, and monochromacy. In anomalous trichromacy, an individual can perceive color, but it’s altered slightly between different hues. In dichromacy, one cone is completely nonfunctional, and those with monochromacy have no functioning cones, resulting in total color blindness.

Color blindness usually affects how red or green light (also known as red-green color blindness) is seen. It will be challenging to discern reds, greens, browns, and oranges, as well as shades of purple. People can have trouble with blue light instead. Those with this condition will struggle to discern blue and yellow, violet and red, and blue and green.

People who have rare monochromatic vision are most affected by color blindness. They see in shades of gray, black, and white, and they often need treatment from an eye doctor for other concerns, such as severe sensitivity to light, involuntary eye movements, and vision problems. 

What Can Be Done About It?

While there is no cure for color blindness, there is hope for future treatments, as researchers have developed a way to restore color perception through gene therapy, which has been successful in animals. 

For now, you can improve your quality of life by speaking with your employer about your color blindness, so they can tailor instructional presentations or worksheets to accommodate you. Organize your outfits, makeup, or paints with labels, having a friend or family member help, so you know which colors are which. Some lenses and filters improve color perception, and mobile apps can tell you the colors of objects around you.

If you're concerned about your color vision, contact Dr. Ron Sealock in Dothan, AL. An experienced eye doctor, he and his team will test color perception and create a custom treatment plan to improve your quality of life. They utilize advanced technology and have flexible, convenient hours. Learn more about their services online and contact the eye doctor at (334) 793-9607.