Colour Vision Deficiency, also referred to as color blindness, is a visual impairment in which an individual has difficulty distinguishing between different colors or perceiving certain colors. It is a relatively common condition, affecting millions of people worldwide.
People with colour vision deficiency may have difficulty distinguishing between specific colors, particularly those within the red-green spectrum, or may have a reduced ability to perceive all colors. This impairment is typically caused by abnormalities in the light-sensitive cells, called cones, of the retina.
There are several types of colour vision deficiencies. The most common is red-green deficiency, where individuals have difficulty distinguishing red from green or perceive these colors differently from people with normal vision. Another type is blue-yellow deficiency, involving difficulty in differentiating between blue and green or yellow. A less common type is a complete absence of color vision, known as monochromacy, where individuals see the world in shades of gray.
Colour vision deficiency is often inherited, passed down from parents to their children through genetic mutations. It can also be acquired as a result of certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, glaucoma, or age-related macular degeneration, or as a side effect of some medications.
While colour vision deficiency does not typically cause significant disability, it can impact various aspects of life, including educational, occupational, and recreational activities, particularly those involving color recognition, such as driving, certain professions (e.g., graphic design), and interpreting color-coded information.
