Colorblind or not, many wonder what colorblindness is? And why are we color blind?
Color blindness or dyschromatopsia is the name given to a color vision anomaly characterized by the confusion of red and green colors. This problem can even lead some people to the inability to see these colors, just like blue or any mixture of colors. Most sufferers have inherited this deficiency from their parents and have this disability from birth.
The human eye uses 3 kinds of cones for color vision , these are retinal cells operating in daytime vision and concentrated in the macula, the most "connected" part of the retina . Each of these cones detects red, green or blue light.
For those who inherit color blindness, one of these cells malfunctions, does not exist, or ceases to function. A person may not see one of the three basic colors (red, blue, or green) or may see a different shade of that specific color.
However, color blindness is not always inherited. You can become color blind following an eye problem (macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, aging, etc.) or trauma (blow or injury to the eye).
There are several color tests that can be done to determine what kind of color blindness the patient has. There are several online but these are limited and best to consult an eye specialist.
How does a color blind see?
Depending on the nature of color blindness, people with this pathology see their environment differently. Each type of cones relates to a color blind person:
- attack of the cone L : the subject is protanope , he does not see the red or protanomal, presence of the red but he is deficient.
- impairment of cone M : the subject is deuteranopic , absence of green, this is the most common form
- attack of the cone S : the subject is tritanope , he does not see blue ; it is a very rare pathology.
Comparative view of different color blind people :
Glasses for the color blind?
Research is still underway to improve the daily life of color blind people, some manufacturers offer specific glasses in the USA for more than $300.
A solution will also be connected glasses which will certainly soon be able to solve these problems.
Like others, the eyes of color blind people are fragile, get tired and age! this is why it is important to protect them from UV, blue light, projections... with anti blue light glasses for computers or with magnifying glasses for presbyopia after 45 years for those who have difficulty reading, see the fine print.