Visual Color Deficiency: Types of Color Blindness

Visual color deficiencies have long been coined "color blindness". As an impairment in vision that results in the inability to discern the varying wavelengths of light, those who suffer from a color deficiency complication do not even realize the disorder exists. As a man who may be experiencing a color deficiency, it is important to not only seek out the diagnosis from a ophthalmologist but also understand what subtype of color deficiency exists.

Visual color deficiencies are visual disorders linked to the X chromosome, almost always limited to the male population. With normal visual acuity to color attributed to the ability to process the combination of red, green and blue combinations, men who suffer from visual color deficiencies, also known as color blindness, are found to suffer the greatest deficit in the processing of red and green color combinations. This subtype is known as daltonism.

In addition to daltonism, some men may experience color deficiencies in processing pastel shades in combination with a complications of interpreting red colors. This condition is known as protanopia and can create such an impairment so as to leave the male sufferer in a quandary when interpreting street signals, especially at night.

To be primarily affected by complications associated with green color interpretation, a man with this complication will suffer from a color deficiency known as deuteranopia. While their vision may be excellent, men who suffer from deuteranopia will most notably show signs in their selection of clothing.

Tritanopia is very rare but in men who suffer from this color deficiency, the complication will present as a complication in discerning blue and yellow combinations.