By contrast, this condition affects only about 0.5% of women, the NIH says.<\/p>\n
How do humans become color blind?<\/p>\n
Humans can develop color blindness through illness or injury affecting the eye or the brain, and from some medicines. However, it is chiefly a condition that people are born with, having inherited a genetic malfunction from their parents.<\/p>\n
And the reason why men are so much more susceptible to color blindness comes down to the distribution of X and Y chromosomes in our cells. <\/p>\n
What\u2019s the role of X and Y chromosomes in color blindness?<\/p>\n
These chromosomes determine a human\u2019s sex<\/a>: males typically have one X and one Y chromosome in each cell; females typically have two X chromosomes. <\/p>\n As Dr. Usiwoma Abugo, an eye expert with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, explains<\/a> to the scientific publication Live Science, color blindness is normally caused by a faulty X chromosome in the cells of our eyeballs. <\/p>\n As women have two X chromosomes in each cell, they\u2019re likely to have one properly functioning X chromosome that can make up for its partner if it\u2019s deficient. <\/p>\n But men, with only the one X chromosome in each eyeball cell, do not possess this natural safety net against genetic color blindness.<\/p>\n \u201cWomen can experience color blindness, but it\u2019s quite rare and is usually caused by something other than genetics,\u201d Dr. Abugo tells Live Science.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Is there a cure for color blindness? How is it treated?<\/p>\n According to<\/a> the U.S.\u2019s National Eye Institute (NEI), there is currently no cure for genetic color blindness.<\/p>\n \u201cIf your color vision deficiency is happening because of another health problem,\u201d the agency says, \u201cyour doctor will treat the condition that\u2019s causing the problem. <\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re taking a medicine that causes color vision deficiency, your doctor may adjust how much you take or suggest you switch to a different medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n The NEI notes that people with color vision deficiency can wear special glasses or contact lenses to help them differentiate between colors. There are also apps that help people to identify colors, by allowing them to take a photo and then tap on each area of the image. <\/p>\n Related stories Get your game on! Whether you\u2019re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. <\/p>\n![\"Goodbye](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/RIJ5P3L3Z5HOTPK2RUCCBSUEKQ.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Skull](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/PWFXJ4HFDFAPVMKGMIDJX5WYB4.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n