Colour vision deficiency
How colour vision deficiency is inherited
Thegenetic fault that usually causes colour vision deficiencyis passed on in what's known as an X-linked inheritance pattern .
This means:
- it mainly affects boys, but can affect girls in some cases
- girls are usually carriers of the genetic faultthis means they can pass it on to their children, but don'thave a colour vision deficiency themselves
- it's usually passed on by a mother to her son the mother will often be unaffected as she willnormally just be a carrier of the genetic fault
- fathers with a colour vision deficiency won't have children with the problem unless their partner is a carrier of the genetic fault
- it can often skip a generation for example, it may affect a grandfather and their grandson
- girls are only affected if their father has a colour vision deficiency and their mother is a carrier of the genetic fault
VisitColour Blind Awareness for more information about inherited colour vision deficiency , including diagramsillustratinghow it can be passed on.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Find about colour vision deficiency and colour blindness, including how to get tested, why it happens, what problems it may cause and what can be done about it.
Types and symptoms of colour vision deficiency
Most peoplewithcolour vision deficiency have difficulty distinguishing between shades of red, yellow and green. This is known as "red-green" colour vision deficiency.It's a common problem that affect
T ests for colour vision deficiency
Ask for a colour vision test at an opticians if you think you or your child may have a colour vision deficiency particularly if it started suddenly or is getting worse. Colour vision tests don't usua
Issues for people with a colour vision deficiency
Colour vision deficiency isn't usually anything to be concerned about. Most people get used to it over time, it won't normally get any worse and it's rarely a sign of anything serious. However, it ca
Treating and living with a colour vision deficiency
There's currently no cure for inherited colour vision deficiency, although most people are able to adapt to it over time. It may help to: tell your child's school if they have problems with their c
Causes ofcolour vision deficiency
Inthe vast majorityof cases, colour vision deficiency iscaused by a genetic fault passed on to a child by their parents (see below). It occurs because some of thecolour sensitive cells in the eyes, c
How colour vision deficiency is inherited
Thegenetic fault that usually causes colour vision deficiencyis passed on in what's known as an X-linked inheritance pattern . This means: it mainly affects boys, but can affect girls in some cases
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