An Overview of Color Blindness from Total Eyecare

At Total Eyecare, we see a variety of vision problems. While some of the most common vision problems include nearsightedness and farsightedness, we also see a lot of patients in Elko who suffer from color blindness. Our team of optometrists is here to make sure that you have a decent understanding of what color blindness is and how it develops.

What is Color Blindness?

Color blindness occurs when an individual is not able to see colors as they normally should. Some of the most common forms of color blindness include issues distinguishing shades of red, green, and blue. The retina is responsible for color interpretation. There are two types of cells in the retina that help someone detect colors of light. The first type is called rods. The rods are responsible for differentiating light and dark. They help someone see clearly in low levels of light. The other type of cell is called cones. Cones are responsible for helping someone see different colors. The human eye has three types of cones that each interpret red, green, and blue. These cells send signals to the brain which are used to differentiate colors.

How Does Color Blindness Develop?

Color blindness develops when there is a problem with one or more of the cones in the retina. The severity of color blindness depends on the number of cones impacted and how severely they are damaged. For example, an issue with only one cone may cause only mild color blindness. On the other hand, a problem with all three cones can make it hard for someone to see any colors at all. With this form, people only see shades of gray. Typically, color blindness is stable and will not change throughout life.

Treatment Options for Color and Sight Issues

It is easy to test for color blindness. There are special images that have been designed and developed to diagnose red-green color blindness, blue color blindness, and other common types. Currently, there are no cures for color blindness. Typically, it does not cause any disabilities; however, there are special contact lenses and glasses that can help someone see colors more clearly.

Trust the Team from Total Eyecare

At Total Eyecare in Elko, our optometrists can treat issues related to color blindness, myopia, hyperopia, and more. We work hard to stay up to date on the latest information in our field. We believe this helps us provide exceptional care to all of our patients. If you would like to learn more about our services or to make an appointment, then please call us today at (775) 738-8491.