Color Blindness

Also known as color vision deficiency, color blindness is a group of disorders in which people cannot perceive or have difficulty distinguishing  specific colors due to problems with the cones (color sensing cells) in the retina (light sensitive layer of the eye).  There are several forms of this condition, depending on the type of cones affected.  Red-green color blindness is the most common type.  Complete color blindness (achromatopsia or rod monochromatism) is rare.  Most cases of color blindness are inherited and result from a defective gene.  Some eye diseases, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, can also cause color blindness.  Liver diseases, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, nervous system disorders, Alzheimers,  leukemia, and exposure to toxic chemicals can all contribute to color blindness.  There is currently no treatment  for color blindness.