Colour blindness and awareness

Overview

Colour blindness, primarily a genetic disorder involving the cone cells of the retina, can also be influenced or exacerbated by various ocular diseases.

Disorders such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, optic neuritis, and cataracts can lead to acquired colour vision deficiencies.

These conditions impact colour perception by damaging the retina or optic nerve, altering the transmission and interpretation of visual signals.

For instance, glaucoma reduces peripheral vision and can affect blue-yellow colour discrimination, while macular degeneration primarily impacts central vision and red-green colour differentiation.

Cataracts, by clouding the lens, reduce overall colour vibrancy and contrast sensitivity.

Unlike inherited colour blindness, which remains stable, acquired colour vision deficiencies can progress or change depending on disease severity and treatment efficacy.