The gene that determines the color receptors is found on the X chromosome. Males only have one of them while females have two. As a result more males are color blind. If a mother has one of each type of receptor on the X chromosomes her son’s will have a 50% chance of being colorblind. Males who are color blind can pass the gene on to their daughters. If the mother also carries the gene the daughters may be color blind. Since it takes two genes for females to be color blind there are fewer incidents.

Color blindness may be caused later in life by severe head trauma. It results from the neurological pathways that are from the eyes to the brain being damaged. It is very similar to a road that ends up being unusable due to a tree laying across the road. While the path is still there a clear way to travel along it isn’t found. In some instances the color blindness will only be temporary but in the majority of such cases it is permanent.

Another cause of color blindness later in life is due to the nerves surrounding the eyes becoming damaged. Many dehabilitiating illnesses including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, glaucoma, leukemia, and liver disease can cause damage around these nerves. They aren’t able to reflect light properly and the cones and rods that help with color sensors are altered.

Since there are so many different reasons color blindness occurs it is important to seek medical attention if it comes on suddenly. This may be an indicator of a more serious medical condition that has not been diagnosed yet. Small children won’t know they are color blind because that is how they have seen things since birth. Parents need to watch for indicators such as not being able to identify crayons and primary colors.

The most common test for color blindness is the Ishihara Color Test. It features various pictures that contain colored spots. There is a number or picture inside of the colored dots but of a different color. If the individual is able to detect colors normally they will have no trouble distinguishing the numbers or the picture inside of the colored spots. However if they suffer from color blindness they won’t be able to.

If the individual is able to distinguish some patterns and not others it helps the doctor to determine the type of color blindness the individual suffers from. They may suffer from complete color blindness or just partial deficits.

If you suspect you or your child is color blind you can find similar tests online. The answers are given at the bottom of the page. If you can’t distinguish the numbers or the pictures within the colored dots you should see a professional to have a complete assessment done.

The Holgren Thompson Wool Test for Color Blindness isn’t used very much now that computer generated testing is available. However it is still a viable option if you want to measure for color blindness. The test involves 40 skeins of thread without identification tags on them. The individual is then give testing skeins to as a guideline. There are different colors of reds, yellows, greens, and blues. The individual has to separate the colors according to the shade they match with.

While there is no cure for color blindness it is very important to identify it, especially in children. There are too many misdiagnoses of learning disabilities and other labels in the school system. The child may be placed in special education courses when what they really need is an alternative method for identifying colors.

If the individual chooses to use them colored contacts are available which sometimes help with the situation. They aren’t right for everyone who suffers from color blindness though. It really depends on the type of ailment they have. For those with a very mild case of color blindness it may be possible to have surgery. This is a good option if the color blindness is due to cataracts. With advances in technology surgery may be possible on very young children who show indicators of being color blind.

In many instances where surgery isn’t an option or parents don’t want to put their child into the risky situation there are some external treatment options. Color tinted lenses can help those who are only color blind with a few distinct colors. These types of glasses help to change the way the rod of the eye perceives the colors it is looking at. They often feature side shields to prevent excess light from entering the line of vision which can further distort colors.

In many instances of color blindness the individual merely has to learn excellent coping mechanisms. There are specific computer software programs for individuals who are color blind. This allows them to be able to work in a variety of careers because computer technology is a common entity in most businesses these days.

For many individuals who are color blind buying clothing can be difficult. It is often easy to get someone to go along with you. Keeping your wardrobe full of interchangeable items is helpful. Many people pin items together including pairs of socks so they will always know they have one matching items.

Since there is no cure for color blindness exploring the different treatment options is something that should be done. The sooner a person with color blindness is diagnosed the more the will respond to treatment. It will also help them adapt to the various coping mechanisms they may have to incorporate for the rest of their life.

Professionals need to look the part so dressing well is essential. If you show up at work with clothes that don’t match is can affect your credibility and make others question your ability to perform the duties of the job. Individuals who are color blind have to be very careful with the clothing they purchase. Items that are of colors that they can easily confuse need to be separated well. They can often play it safe by having plenty of neutral colors that will work well together.

Being color blind can hinder some of the professions you will be able to enter. For example it would be quite difficult to be a successful interior decorator if you aren’t able to distinguish colors from each other. Advertising and marketing may also prove to be a struggle because the colors on the layouts are often what attracts or distracts potential consumers.

Reading information on a computer screen can be difficult if you are color blind. These days operating a computer is an essential part of almost any career. There is special software employers can provide so that it is easier to read the information. If the employer can’t afford the software it can often be donated by an agency that serves those with such disabilities.

It is important to tell your employer that you are color blind so they can make reasonable accommodations for you. Failure to tell them can cause them to think you are incompetent so you will get bad reviews, passed up for promotions, or fired. Under the American Disability Act it is illegal for any company to refuse to hire you based on the information that you are color blind.

Being color blind can be very frustrating because it affects both your personal life and your career. Most people spend the majority of their life employed so make sure you get all the assistance you need with making the work place comfortable for you to work in. While some of your career choices may be limited you can still find an area that is of interest to you.

Most instances of color blindness are the result of a genetic factor. In this case the individual is afflicted with color blindness from the time they are born. In a small percentage of color blindness cases they happen later in life. This is often the result of head trauma, or damage to the eye nerves.

Individuals who are completely color blind suffer from Achromatopsia. They aren’t able to distinguish any colors from one another at all. The majority of individuals with this condition are only partially color blind. There are particular colors that individuals who are color blind have difficulty with. Red and green are often confused as are blue and yellow. They can distinguish other colors without any difficulty or confusion.

The inability to distinguish red from green is generally found in men with color blindness. The reason behind this is that the genes for these color receptors are found on the X chromosome and men only have one so it either is correct or it isn’t. In regards to the inability to distinguish blue from yellow the odds are the same for both males and females.

Being color blind can be very frustrating. Many elements in our society aren’t user friendly if you can’t distinguish your colors. Computers have plenty of different colors on them which can make reading the information difficult. There are some good software programs to help with this though.

The weather reports on the news have a code with different colors for the different types of events unfolding. If you are color blind you may not know the severity of the situation and be able to adequately prepare for it. It can also be difficult to identify traffic lights and various types of foods.

There is no cure for color blindness though so individuals who are faced with the deficiency have to learn to adjust. They often have difficult purchasing clothing and even getting two socks on that match. They may have to pin items together after they are worn so that they can identify the matching socks after they have been washed.