Eye Care Basics

Color Vision Deficiency

Causes
The term "color blindness" is not entirely accurate. The more accurate statement may indicate that a person is "color deficient." Color deficiency is an inherited genetic trait that affects about 1 out of 12 males, and 1 out of 100 females.

Symptoms
Only in very rare cases is color vision deficiency so severe that the individual can detect no color at all. In most cases, the ability to distinguish certain colors is simply less than normal. Red-green color deficiency is the most common form of this condition, but some people may also have difficulty distinguishing blue and gray.

Diagnosis and Treatment
Color vision deficiency is not typically indicative of disease, and is not typically correctable in most cases, although special tinted lenses may help. Occupational counseling may be helpful for those individuals who are color deficient.

Read Next Entry
Read Previous Entry