Color blindness, also known as color vision deficiency, is the decreased ability to see color or differences between colors. It most often affects boys and men, but girls and women can also be color blind. About 1 in 12 men (8%) and 1 in 200 women (.5%) have some type of color vision deficiency.
The most common causes of color blindness are genetic mutations on the X chromosome. Since women have two X chromosomes and men have only one, women need mutations in both copies of a gene to be color blind while men only require one. This makes it much more rare for girls and women to inherit color blindness. However, there are still several ways that females can be color blind.
What Causes Color Blindness in Girls?
There are a few different genetic reasons why girls and women can be color blind:
Mutations in Both X Chromosomes
Women have two X chromosomes while men only have one. For a woman to be color blind, she must inherit mutations in both of her copies of the gene that codes for color vision. If she only has one mutated copy, she will be a carrier but her vision will be unaffected. Since the likelihood of inheriting two mutated copies is much lower than inheriting just one, color blindness is very rare in females.
X-Linked Inheritance from Carrier Mother
If a woman is a carrier of an X-linked color blindness mutation, she can pass that mutated gene onto her sons who will be color blind. She can also pass the mutation onto her daughters. Since the daughters inherit one X chromosome from their mother and one from their father, they have a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation if their mother is a carrier.
New Mutations
Around 1 in 6 cases of color blindness are caused by new genetic mutations rather than inherited ones. If a new mutation occurs on one of a female’s X chromosomes, she can become color blind. The odds of new mutations are low, but still possible.
Types of Color Blindness in Females
There are different types of color vision deficiencies that can affect girls and women:
Red-Green Color Blindness
The most common form that affects both men and women is red-green color blindness. It makes it hard to distinguish between reds, greens, browns, and oranges. This type is usually an X-linked recessive genetic condition.
Blue-Yellow Color Blindness
Much more rare is blue-yellow color blindness, which causes difficulty discerning between blues and yellows. This type is usually inherited as a dominant genetic trait and affects men and women equally.
Complete Color Blindness
Very rarely, some females are born with a complete inability to see color at all. This extreme case is known as monochromatism or total color blindness. It is most often caused by new genetic mutations rather than inherited ones.
Diagnosing Color Blindness in Girls
Here are some ways that color blindness can be identified in girls:
Genetic Testing
DNA tests are available that can detect genetic mutations linked to color blindness. They can identify female carriers and confirm cases in girls. However, they won’t indicate the severity of color vision issues.
Eye Exam
An ophthalmologist can diagnose color blindness in girls using visual tests like Ishihara plates with colored dot patterns. These specially designed tests help determine what colors are problematic.
Everyday Difficulties
Signs of color blindness may show up in a girl’s daily life. For example, she may have trouble matching colors when getting dressed, have difficulty reading colored text, or confuse art materials. Parents and teachers can look for early indications.
How Common is Color Blindness in Females?
Here are statistics on the prevalence of color blindness in girls and women:
Global Rates
– About 1 in 200 women worldwide are color blind – .5%
– Compared to 1 in 12 men (about 8%)
Regional Differences
– Highest rates are in European populations
– Lower rates in African, Asian, and South American populations
– For example, color blindness affects up to 2.4% of men and .03% of women born in Ireland
Type Frequency
– Red-green deficiency is the most common in both genders
– Rates of blue-yellow color blindness do not differ between men and women
– Complete color blindness is extremely rare in females
So while distinctly uncommon, females can be impacted by color vision deficiencies, most often of the red-green variety.
Living with Color Blindness as a Girl
Being color blind poses some unique challenges for girls:
Social Situations
– Difficulty identifying classmates by hair or skin color
– Feeling left out of discussions on fashion, make-up colors
Learning Obstacles
– Trouble discerning colored text, graphs, and maps at school
– Issues correctly using art materials like markers or paints
Emotional Impact
– Feeling different from peers and left out of girl talk
– Hesitation to speak up about vision issues to avoid social stigma
However, there are also ways for color blind girls to adapt and thrive:
Targeted Assistance
– Request special accommodations at school like adjustable computer screens
– Use tools like color-coded labels, apps, and filters
Confident Self-Advocacy
– Educate friends and teachers to spread awareness
– Don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed
Focus on Positives
– Having a unique perspective creatively and problem-solving
– Ability to correctly identify camouflaged objects
Supporting Color Blind Girls
There are several ways parents and teachers can help girls with color blindness:
Get an Expert Diagnosis
– Have an ophthalmologist confirm type and severity
– Consider genetic testing to pinpoint cause
Implement Classroom Aid
– Provide written color labels on supplies
– Give copies of material with enhanced color contrast
Promote Healthy Self-Esteem
– Encourage questions and open discussions at home
– Find successful color blind role models
Check on Mental Health
– Monitor for signs of bullying, isolation, or depression
– Provide counseling if needed
Famous Color Blind Women
Although rare, some celebrated women have lived with color blindness:
Marlee Matlin
– Award-winning deaf actress
– Has disclosed she also has color blindness
Sheila Neville
– Prominent judge in South Africa
– One of the country’s few female High Court judges
– Has severe color blindness
Kathryn Dalton
– American artist who specialized in glasswork
– Did not let her color blindness deter her art career
– Created a study on how color blind artists perceive color
Conclusion
While substantially more rare than in males, color blindness does affect a small percentage of females. Genetic mutations on the X chromosome are the most common cause, whether inherited or occurring spontaneously. Girls may struggle with social obstacles, learning challenges, and self-esteem issues. Providing early diagnosis, targeted accommodations, and emotional support are key to helping color blind girls thrive. Increased advocacy can spread awareness and assistance for the unique needs of color blind females.