How to Treat Colour Vision Deficiency?

What is Colour Vision Deficiency?

Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD), or color blindness, is an inherited visual impairment impacting the accurate perception of certain colors. It manifests in various forms, with red-green and blue-yellow color blindness being the most common types. This condition results from the malfunction of cones, nerve cells in the eye's retina responsible for processing light and images.

Contrary to the misconception of total color blindness, individuals with CVD can generally discern a range of colors, although their perception may differ from those with normal color vision. Challenges arise in distinguishing specific colors or shades, and in rare cases, some individuals may be entirely unable to perceive any colors.

Why Does Colour Vision Deficiency Occur?

Colour Vision Deficiency is primarily caused by genetic factors. The genes responsible for the development of color-sensing pigments in the eye's cone cells are located on the X chromosome. Since males have only one X chromosome (XY), a genetic mutation on this chromosome can result in color blindness. Females, on the other hand, have two X chromosomes (XX), so they may carry a faulty gene on one X chromosome but still have a normal vision gene on the other.

Another cause of acquired color blindness is certain diseases, medications, or exposure to chemicals that can damage the optic nerve or the retina. However, these cases are less common compared to the genetic form of color blindness.