Color blindness can affect people differently. There are three main types of color blindness that present different views of color, includingred-green color blindness, blue-yellow color blindness, and complete color blindness. Eachof these types ofcolor blindnessresults fromthe red, green, or blue cone's inability to process light inthe retina.When one or more of these cones does not respond, we experiencecolor blindness.Because it exists in many forms and is often misunderstood by those with normal color vision, there are manyfacts aboutcolor blindnessyou might not know.Followalong with this list to become an expert on the unique characteristics associated with color blindness.
It’s Not Easy to Recognize
One might think a lack of color vision would be easy to recognize, but it can be quite difficult. Those who experience colorblindnessoften do so frombirth, meaning they might not even know the difference.In early years, color blindness can also be mistaken fora learning disabilitysimilar todyslexia.
Picky Eating is Common
Color vision deficiencies can make some foods look unappetizing, creating picky eating habits. For example, peanut butter may take on agreenshade.Color vision deficiencies can also make it difficult to determine if certain foods are ripe or fully cooked. Bananas and tomatoes can have a drastically different taste if they are ripe—although, without the ability to see their color, it is nearly impossible to tell if they are ready to eat. Similarly, one badexperiencewith undercooked meat caninspireyou tosteerclear of that food for a lifetime.Color blindness can make it hard to determine if the meat is fully cooked or not, making it a risky cooking venture.
True Color Blindness is Rare
Those with colorblindness are most commonly not fully colorblind. Black and white color blindness is the rarest form of the condition. Color vision deficiencies that limit or eliminate certain colors and shades are themorecommonly expressed types of color blindness.
It’s Not Just Hereditary
Many people believe color blindness is exclusively a hereditary condition. This is by far the most common way of developing color blindness, but it is not the only way. Colorblindness can be contracted through eye diseases, aging, anddamage to the eyes as well.
Career Restrictions Exist
Some careers in the United States, as well as in foreign countries, have restrictions on hiring people with color vision deficiencies. For example, pilots, lawenforcement officers,and military personnel cannot have acolor vision deficiency.Other jobs such aselectricians, engineers,anddoctors can have somerestrictionsas these job functions require the ability to see differences in color and shades.
One Eye Can See Color
In some cases, someone who is colorblind can still see full color in one eye. This condition is called unilateral dichromacy. Unilateral dichromacyis a very rare condition that allows you to see with normalcolorvision in one eye and deficient color vision in the other.
Women are Carriers
Color blindness is more common in men than in women due toitsX-linked nature. This means that the colorblind mutation must be present on the X chromosome. Because women have two X chromosomes, the mutation must be present onboth, whereasit must only exist on the single X chromosome in males.Although the deficiency is moreprevalentin males, women are more common carriers of the gene, making it possible to pass down the gene to male children.
All Babies are Born Colorblind
At birth, all babies are born colorblind and are onlyable to see in black and white. Color visiontypicallydevelopsbetween the four-month andsix-monthmarksof a baby's life.
Dogs Don’t Actually See in Black and White
A common myth is that dogs only see in black and white. While dogs do have a color vision deficiency, it is moresimilar tothe human dichromatic deficiency, in whichblue and yellow colors are visiblebut others, such as red and green, are indiscernible.
The Ishihara ColorBlind Test
The Ishihara color blind test is one of the most common forms of color-blind diagnoses. This test uses apaletteof colorful circles with one color creating anumber in the middle. During the test, one must determine what number is on thepalette.This test wasactually usedexclusively by theJapaneseArmybefore becoming a more universally recognized tool.
Driving Difficulties
Driving can be difficult for people with colorblindness. In some countries, such as Romania, those with color vision deficiencies cannot obtain a driver’s license. Whilesignage can rely heavily on symbols rather than color, traffic lights rely on color. Telling the difference between red and yellow lights can often be challenging. Green lights can also look white if youhave acolor vision deficiency.
Rainbows Don’t Look the Same
For people who see colors normally, rainbows present all the colors of a rainbow. This site isskewed by colorblindness, as only a few colors are visible.
Colorblind Tests Can be Taken Online
If you can’t visit an optometrist, there are manyonline tests available to determine if you have a color vision deficiency, as well as what kindof deficiency you areexperiencing.
There is No Cure
Currently, there is no cure for color blindness. However, there are ways to combatcolor blindness.Color correcting sunglasses, normal wear glasses, and contact lenses can increase color vision for those with a deficiency. These glasses and lenses use light filtering to increase the vibrancy and depth of colors, making them easier tosee and distinguish between.
Color blindness is a unique condition that can come in many different forms. While we do not know a cure for color blindness yet, we do know of many different tendencies and ways color blindness can affect a person’s life, such as driving abilities, misdiagnosis of learning disabilities, and picky eating.There aremany facts you might not know about colorblindnessunless you haveexperiencedthe deficiency yourself.
