Color Blindness - Causes



Color Blindness Causes 2644
Photo by: omicron

Most cases of color blindness are inherited, with males being affected far more often than females. Color blindness can also be acquired in other ways. These include:

  • Chronic (long-term) illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease (see Alzheimer's disease entry), diabetes, glaucoma (see glaucoma entry), leukemia (see leukemia entry), liver disease, chronic alcoholism (see alcoholism entry), multiple sclerosis (see multiple sclerosis entry), and retinitis pigmentosa, a disease of the retina.

Magnified image of the rods and cones of the human eye. (© Omikron. Reproduced by permission of Photo Researchers, Inc.)
Magnified image of the rods and cones of the human eye. (©
Omikron
. Reproduced by permission of
Photo Researchers, Inc.
)

  • Traumas, such as those caused by accidents or strokes (see stroke entry).
  • Medications, such as antibiotics and drugs used to treat tuberculosis (see tuberculosis entry), high blood pressure, and nervous disorders.
  • Industrial toxins (poisons), including carbon monoxide, carbon disulfide, fertilizers, and chemicals that include lead.
  • Aging, people are at higher risk after the age of sixty.

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