The eyes are one of the most complex body parts you have, involving multiple tiny structures all working together to provide vision. First is the front of the eye with its structures that help refract light into the eye. Next are the light-sensitive cells at the back that interpret the images and color into electrical signals.  

What Is Color Blindness?

This condition impairs the ability of the eye to distinguish between colors. Many people with this condition find distinguishing between green and red difficult. Some have difficulty distinguishing blues and yellows, but this form of color blindness is much rarer. 

You may also have achromatopsia—complete color blindness—that lets you see only in grayscale or black and white. This severe form of color blindness is the rarest of all.

What Are the Different Types of Color Blindness?

The main types of color blindness can cause the deficiencies in color detection mentioned above. They are categorized by how you become color blind:
 

• Inherited Color Blindness

Inherited color blindness is a genetic defect in the family and the most common form of the condition. It is often transferred from mother to son, which means you are more likely to get it if a close member of your family has it.
 

• Acquired Color Blindness

This form of color blindness usually develops later in life, affecting both women and men. It is usually the result of severe eye conditions or diseases that impact the retina or optic nerve. Because of this form's nature, many eye doctors recommend swift action if you notice any changes in your color vision. This could be fatal to your eyesight.

What Causes Color Blindness?

Located at the back of the eye, specialized nerve cells called cones enable the retina to see color. The cones are specialized into three kinds, each absorbing a specific wavelength of light—blue, green, or red. Color blindness occurs when one of these is damaged by one of the following:
 

• Heredity

Your genetic makeup can result in the malfunction of one of the groups of specialized cones. However, this form does not cause other visual issues or blindness. 
 

• Disease

Different diseases can lead to cone damage and injury to the retina. Glaucoma, the sneaky intraocular pressure disease, is the most prevalent eye condition that results in color blindness. Its impact on color vision was noted in the late 19th century. The high eye pressure it causes damages the optic nerve. 

Other conditions that can damage the retina and the cones in the process are macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Cataracts may also impact your color vision, but they do this because of the clouding of the eyes' lenses. 
 

• Medication

Some types of medication can lead to issues with color vision, such as antipsychotic drugs like thioridazine and chlorpromazine. You could also develop issues with your optic nerve and color vision if you are using the antibiotic ethambutol.

For more on what you need to know about color blindness, visit Bright Eyes Vision at our office in Plymouth, Indiana. Call (574) 936-2272​​​​​​​ to book an appointment today.