Color Blindness and Its Effect on Everyday Living

There is an eye disease called "monochromacy," which means that one only sees in shades of white, grey and black. This is the true definition of "color blind." While being color blind, is in fact, a visual deficiency, it is not the inability to see color. Thus, "color blind," is an inaccurate term and can lead to many misconceptions. The correct term for this genetic deficiency is now: "color vision deficiency(CVD)." While I don't always support political correctness, this does more accurately describe the condition.

There are three primary colors: Red, Green and yellow. All other colors are mixtures of these three. CVD occurs in the retina. There are light receptors in the retina called rods and cones. The rods assist in night vision by determining the overall intensity of the brightness or darkness of the surroundings. While the cones identify the amount of light that is seen by specific wave lengths. There are three sets of cones, one set for each primary color. The amount or absence of light in each wave length determines the color that is seen. Each of the primary colors: red, green and yellow are identified by the retina in a different wave length of light. These different wave lengths of light stimulate different pigments in the cones of the eye. Healthy cones are fully stimulated and register all of the colors in their waves of splendor. But, people who have CVD have one or even two sets of cones that aren't working properly. Some waves of light are not registered which means that colors are not perceived as they really are.

While eight percent of men are said to exhibit CVD, there is a much lower percentage of women. This is because, while color blindness is inherited, it is transferred by the X chromosome. Since women have two X chromosomes, they can be carriers(Unless both X Chromosomes display the anomaly for CVD), but not have difficulty in distinguishing colors. Men, however, have only one X chromosome, so they can not be carriers of this genetic defect. Of course, Glaucoma, diabetes and cataracts can also cause color blindness.

Most people have the red to green color blindness which means that it is difficult to distinguish between green and red. In fact, Red and green look like the same color. If red looks like green, then they will also have a difficult time with orange. If green looks like red, then they will have a difficult time with those colors that have been made with the green pigment.
Some people see red dominant colors and some people see green dominant colors, depending on the particular cones that are not functioning.

There are many different tests that can help you determine if you are color blind. Some of these tests must be purchased. To do an online test to discern your color blindness, you can go to
http://www.biyee.net/v/color_vision_test/
The most commonly used test is called the Ishihara color blindness test. It accurately tests for all types of color blindness. While the online test displays a series of line and dots, this test displays dots in a circle. One dot is a different color(usually one red dot in the sea of green dots or the opposite) and the person must find the one dot that is of a different color. It is simple, yet effective. These can be given by an eye doctor. There is a third test called "coloryte," which not only tests your vision deficiency, but it claims to test the degree of deficiency that you have. They also have eye glasses to accommodate for the deficiency. I have not tried this method personally, so I am unable to verify its claims. If you want to check it out, the website is:
http://www.colourvision.info/faq.htm

Sometimes children have a difficult time in school because everything is so color coded. Teachers do not realize that a child is color blind and might assume that there are other disabilities present. CVD can effect his/her work and the student's confidence. It is best for the parent and student to tell the teacher and other accommodations can be made. The teacher can also ask for eye testing from someone who is trained.

With technological advances, there is not much that detours people from obtaining the particular career of their choosing. People who are color blind have more opportunities than ever to follow their own dreams when it comes to employment. Even careers in art are not out of the question with the proper technology and accommodations. Of course, the artist who has CVD will always have to have someone proof their work.

Some say that if you have CVD, you can't drive. This is not true. There are different types of color blindness. Besides, many people who are color blind learn to look at the position of the light and not the color. There are small ways to get around their inability to distinguish between certain colors and/or patterns of colors. However, typically, navigation and aviation are careers that are closed to those who have been tested and proven to have CVD. Some Law enforcement positions require that the person not be color blind. But, these requirements vary from city to city and state to state.

Some say that jobs in Science and horticulture are also closed to the individual who can not distinguish between certain colors. However, there is new technology that can assist in distinguishing the color. The most common device is called a "color tester." It has been made for blind people to identify colors. You lay an object onto the flat surface of the color sensor and it announces the color. Some color testers will only announce the basic color: "red," "Orange," or "blue." Other color testers are quite specific and announce how much red and how much blue is in this particular shade of purple. This could assist a chemist or an electrician in distinguishing the exact color of a chemical or wire.

There are also other devices as well as techniques of adapting the environment which are specific to the different career choices. Many times there are other ways to identify an object besides its color. Also, equipment that talks is always making it easier because it can identify the color for you by doing exactly what the cones do, measuring the wave lengths of light.

There are no cures for CVD. It is a static eye disease that means that it will neither get worse or better. But, there are strategies that can help the adult adjust to this deficiency. Although, there are some careers which are quite a bit more difficult for people who suffer from CVD, each person is different in the way they perceive colors and the exact extent of their disability. Furthermore, there are strategies and technological devices that one may use to assist in accommodating for this deficiency.

Additional Sources:
http://www.cvdbooks.com
http://www.perkins.org/clearinghouse/science/chemistry.html