Changes in colour vision a Glaucoma symptom
Normal colour vision is impaired. The fact that colours are no longer perceived in full intensity can be a symptom of Glaucoma.
This Glaucoma symptom can mean that affected individuals experience an impairment in their ability to perceive colours correctly and in their full intensity.
This Glaucoma symptom can develop insidiously and is often only noticed in advanced stages of the disease.
Glaucoma can affect normal colour vision
The eye is normally able to perceive colours through special light-sensitive cells called cones, which are located in the retina of the eye.
There are three main types of cones, each sensitive to different wavelengths of light, which enable the brain to distinguish different colours – red, green and blue.
If the optic nerve becomes damaged due to Glaucoma, this can affect normal colour vision.
Expression of the Glaucoma symptom: general shift in colour perception
The changes in colour vision can vary and differ depending on the individual case and the degree of damage to the optic nerve. Some affected individuals may notice a general shift in colour perception where colours appear less vivid and colour saturation decreases.
Colours may be perceived as paler or less intense, resulting in an overall reduced colour experience.
Expression of the Glaucoma symptom: selective loss of certain colour perceptions
In other people, Glaucoma can lead to selective loss of certain colour perceptions. For example, the ability to recognise certain colours such as red or green may be impaired, while other colours may be less affected.
As a result, affected individuals may have difficulty distinguishing between certain hues or recognising colours that fall within a certain spectrum.
Shift in colour perception over time and during the course of the disease
In some cases, the changes in colour vision can be so subtle that they may go unnoticed at first. However, affected individuals may notice over time that their colour perception is no longer as accurate or vivid as before.
It is important to note that changes in colour vision alone are not enough to make a diagnosis of Glaucoma. It is a complex condition that requires a comprehensive assessment by an ophthalmologist.
