Lecturer of the Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, IPB University: Color Vision Deficiency Is Generally Inherited
Have you ever had difficulty distinguishing certain colors, such as red and green? This condition may indicate a color vision deficiency, commonly known as color blindness (dyschromatopsia).
Many people only realize they have a color vision disorder when undergoing medical tests for school, employment, or driver’s license (SIM) applications. In fact, this condition is generally present from birth and is related to hereditary factors.
A lecturer from the Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition (FKGiz) at IPB University, dr Drasthya Zarisha, SpM, explained that dyschromatopsia is closely associated with genetic inheritance, particularly inherited color blindness from parents. “Most cases of color vision deficiency are congenital in nature.”
She explained, “This condition occurs due to abnormalities in cone cells in the retina, which play an essential role in detecting and distinguishing colors. In individuals with normal or trichromatic vision, the eyes are able to combine three primary colors: red, green, and blue,” she elaborated.
Congenital color blindness is associated with a recessive gene located on the X chromosome, particularly affecting the red-green spectrum. Therefore, this condition is more commonly inherited through the mother, who acts as a carrier.
“If a mother carries or has the gene for color blindness, her children have the potential to inherit the condition. For males, only one affected X chromosome is sufficient to cause color blindness, whereas females require two affected X chromosomes,” she explained.
Meanwhile, a father with color blindness does not necessarily pass the condition to his sons. This is because sons inherit the Y chromosome from their father and the X chromosome from their mother.
To detect this condition, dr Drasthya stated that simple screening can be conducted through color vision tests, one of which is the Ishihara test. This test uses pseudoisochromatic plates to assess the ability to distinguish colors, particularly red and green.
“To identify more specifically the genes involved, genetic testing can be performed,” she added.
Regarding management, she emphasized that currently there is no method to prevent or cure congenital color blindness, as the disorder affects the “color sensors” in the retina from birth.
However, individuals can still adapt through various strategies, such as using color coding techniques, labeling, or utilizing mobile applications to assist with color identification. In cases of acquired color vision deficiency due to certain diseases, improvement in color perception may be possible if the underlying cause is treated.
She also explained the difference between total and partial color blindness. Total color blindness, or achromatopsia, is the most severe form, where individuals can only perceive shades of gray due to non-functioning cone cells. In such cases, visual acuity may also be reduced, ranging from mild to severe.
“Meanwhile, in partial color blindness, the impairment affects only certain parts of the color spectrum,” she concluded. (dh) (IAAS/KAL)
