Color Vision Testing in Culpeper & King George
Culpeper & King George optometrist Dr. Miles Press and the team at Eye Care of Virginia provide color vision testing services for the whole family. Our Culpeper & King George color vision testing services can help you determine if you suffer from poor color vision or color blindness. Whether you are suddenly struggling to tell the difference between certain colors or have a child who has never had color vision testing before, we have you covered.
When to See a Culpeper & King George Eye Doctor about Your Color Vision
Our experienced Culpeper & King George eye doctor is available to perform color vision tests that quickly and easily determine whether or not you suffer from color vision problems or even color blindness. The optometrist recommends color vision testing to all children because it is better to detect a problem of this kind early in life than later on. However, color vision problems can and do develop in adults who have otherwise never experienced such issues. This is yet another reason why it is so important to have yearly eye exams performed.
How Common is Color Blindness, and What Causes It?
Although much is said about color blindness, it is actually pretty rare. Approximately one in 12 men suffer from some degree of color blindness while approximately one in 200 women experience it. The vast majority of people inherit the condition. Therefore, if a child has poor color vision or color blindness, they have likely inherited it from a parent.
Genetics are often to blame for poor color vision, but other factors can trigger it too. These include:
- aging
- exposure to chemicals
- certain medications
- certain diseases, including diabetes, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, alcoholism, Parkinson’s disease and sickle cell anemia
When genetics are to blame, the cause is usually linked to a problem with the cones, or color-sensitive photoreceptors, in the retina. When disease causes poor color vision or color blindness, it’s typically because it affects the optic nerve in some way. For example, this sometimes happens with glaucoma.
What to Expect During Culpeper & King George Color Vision Testing
When you come to our practice for Culpeper & King George color vision testing, you can expect a quick, easy time. During the test, you will be asked to cover one eye. The optometrist will then show you a series of cards featuring patterns of multicolored dots. If your color vision is okay, you will be able to discern numbers or symbols from the dots. If some sort of color vision issue is happening, however, you may struggle to find symbols or numbers amid the dots. When you switch to cover up the other eye, the optometrist will ask how the intensity of the colors that you perceive compares to that of the other eye.
Visit Our Optometrist in Culpeper & King George
There is no treatment for poor color vision or color blindness. If it’s occurring due to an underlying cause, however, treating the underlying cause may resolve the issue. There are also colored filters for eyeglasses and contact lenses that may assist you in more easily discerning contrasts between different colors. Call us today at (540) 825-3937 to schedule an eye exam, or at our second location in King George at (540) 663-3937.
