By contrast, this condition affects only about 0.5% of women<\/b>, 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<\/b>, 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<\/b> 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<\/b> 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<\/b> 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<\/b> 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<\/b> 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<\/b>,\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<\/b>.<\/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<\/b>. <\/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<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n The NEI notes that people with color vision deficiency can wear special glasses or contact lenses<\/b> 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.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/RIJ5P3L3Z5HOTPK2RUCCBSUEKQ.jpg\")
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