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Color Blindness Causes & Risks

Causes

Most color blindness is inherited. Less frequently, color blindness is caused by a disease affecting the optic nerve or retina. This is referred to as “acquired color blindness.”

Anatomy of the Eye

Normal Anatomy of the Eye
© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.

Risk Factors

Heredity is the primary factor that controls your chance of having color blindness. If your mother, father, or grandparents were color blind, you may have the gene(s) that cause color blindness.

The following risk factors increase your chance of developing acquired color blindness:

  • Males are more likely than females to have color blindness.
  • Having certain diseases may increases your risk for developing color blindness.
  • Certain medications, including some that are prescribed for heart problems, high blood pressure , or nervous disorders, may increase your risk for developing color blindness or deficiency.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

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