Color blindness is a condition that affects about 2.7 million people around the world. That is nearly 5% of the population and most of the sufferers are men. The majority of those stricken with this condition have inherited it genetically from one of their parents, though cataracts and other complications from aging can also cause forms of color blindness. This condition was always something that the patient had to learn to live with until a recent technological development was made that allows some color blind people to see colors.
What Causes Color Blindness?
Color blindness is also called Color Vision Deficiency (CVD). This is because most people who are color blind actually do see colors, but not as vividly as others and they have a hard time differentiating between shades. The most common type of CVD is red-green. Photopigments in the eye are either red, green or blue sensitive. In a person with red-green CVD, the red and green photopigments overlap and cause difficulty in seeing certain colors.
How To Correct Color Blindness
Until recently, there was nothing that could be done to correct color blindness in a person who suffered from red-green CVD. Since most people are born with it, many don’t even know they have it unless an eye doctor performs testing on their color vision. Recently though, there have been technological breakthroughs that created a lens to help those with red-green CVD see the full color spectrum. These lenses can be placed into glasses worn by the patient, allowing them to see the world around them in full color.
How The Glasses Work
Using sophisticated models and computer simulations, scientists designed an optimal filter to treat the condition. Targeting the red and green photopigments, this filter removes the sharp wavelengths of light which then enhances specific colors and separates the overlapping green and red cones in the eye of the colorblind person. Though these lenses will not help with all kinds of color blindness, they provide improvement for most red-green CVD sufferers who make up the largest population with the condition.
Ask Your Eye Doctor If You Would Benefit From Advances
The best way to keep track of your eye health and find out if you would benefit from new vision technology is by visiting a vision center like All About Eyes for regular exams. A certified optometrist can help you track your eye health and recommend new technology that may be beneficial to you.
Technological advances in eye health are happening all the time. Perhaps one day, they will be able to come up with a cure for individuals who suffer from CVD. Until that day comes, certain patients can now enjoy the world in all its vibrant colors with the help of a special lens in their glasses.