What is Color Vision Deficiency?

Color vision deficiency, commonly referred to as color blindness, affects an individual's ability to see and differentiate colors properly. It is typically a genetic condition but can also result from physical or chemical damage to the eye, optic nerve, or parts of the brain responsible for processing color.

Types of Color Weakness

There are several types of color vision deficiencies, majorly categorized into three:

• Protanomaly - Reduced sensitivity to red light.
• Deuteranomaly - Reduced sensitivity to green light. This is the most common type.
• Tritanomaly - Reduced sensitivity to blue light.

Testing for Color Weakness

To diagnose color vision deficiency, several tests can be administered. These tests help in identifying which specific type of color blindness an individual has and its severity.

Ishihara Test

The Ishihara test is the most commonly used and involves viewing a series of colored circles, known as Ishihara plates, which contain different colored dots and numbers that appear differently to those with and without the condition.

Anomaloscope

This device measures a person's ability to match the brightness of different colored lights. It provides more detailed information on the type and degree of color vision deficiency.