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A-Z Glossary

Table of Contents

Deuteranopia

Courtney Dryer, OD
Written byCourtney Dryer, OD
Courtney Dryer, OD
Courtney Dryer, ODOptometristCharlotte, NC

Bio

Dr. Courtney Dryer earned her doctorate from Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee in 2011. She opened her own practice Autarchic Spec Shop in 2013 in Charlotte, NC. She has had the privilege of writing for numerous optometric publications and serving in various industry capacities. In 2015, Vision Monday named her a rising star and one of the most influential women in optometry. Her optometric passions include practice management, specialty contact lenses, and dry eye management.

  • Last updated March 21, 2023

What is Deuteranopia?

Deuteranopia is a type of red-green color deficiency. Red-green color blindness is the most common type and occurs in about 1 in 12 males and 1 out of 200 women. Individuals with deuteranopia are lacking the M photopigment, but it is replaced by the L photopigment. Those with deuteranopia see things with more red color. Deuteranopia does not allow for the perception of green light.

Key Takeaways

  • Deuteranopia is a red-green color deficiency that is more common in males. 
  • Those with deuteranopia are unable to see green.
  • Most individuals with deuteranopia may not know they have it until they complete an Ishihara Color Test for an eye doctor.
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Understanding Deuteranopia

Red-green color vision deficiencies occur when there are defects with the OPN1LW (red pigment cone) and OPN1MW (green pigment) genes. Protanopia is also a red-green deficiency that results from defects in the red cone pigments.

Risk Factors for Deuteranopia

Deuteranopia is typically caused by a mutation in the recessive genes in the X chromosome. It is most often congenital. 

Sometimes, it can be acquired, and the possible causes may include retinal diseases, optic nerve disorders, age-related macular degeneration, dementia, side effects from antimalarial drugs, some prescription medications taken for high blood pressure, mental health disorders, autoimmune diseases, and infection, and exposure to organic solvents like fertilizers.

Deuteranopia Symptoms

Deuteranopia can be so mild, one may not know they have it. Symptoms include confusing the colors of red and green.

Diagnosing Deuteranopia

An Ishihara Color Test can be used to diagnose deuteranopia. The Ishihara Color Test requires the patient to look at a series of dots that make up a number. Individuals with normal vision will be able to see the dots, but the number will be invisible or difficult for those with deuteranopia.

Deuteranopia Treatment

There is no cure for deuteranopia, but glasses with specialty lenses or contact lenses may help with seeing colors more easily.

Bibliography

  1. Deuteranopia. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/medgen/1647334
  2. Deuteranopia. Healthline. Retrieved October 21, 2022 from https://www.healthline.com/health/deuteranopia
  3. Etudo, Margaret. What Do Color Blind People See? Verywell Health. Retrieved October 21, 2022 from https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-do-color-blind-people-see-5092522

 

Related Terms

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Canaliculus

is part of the nasolacrimal drainage system, which drains tears from the surface of the eye into the nasal cavity

Anophthalmos

is a medical condition defined as the complete absence of an eye from its eye socket

Fluorescein Angiography

is a procedure where a fluorescein dye solution is injected into the blood vessels of the arm

Variable Expressivity

means that people with the same genetic disease can have different disease severity

Scotopic Vision

refers to your eyes’ ability to see in low light levels

Phacoemulsification

also called “small incision cataract surgery” is the most common type of cataract surgery

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