Color Perception Problems

Colorblindness is usually hereditary and is present from birth. The inability to see red and green is most common, followed by the inability to see blue and yellow. The ability to see only in shades of gray is rare, but not unheard of. Colorblindness can be problematic in some situations, but it is not a degenerative condition and does not cause vision loss.

Color perception problems which were not present at birth can be caused by medications or conditions of the eye. Cataracts, conditions which affect the optic nerve, and inflammation of the retina are a few eye conditions which can interfere with color perception. It has been theorized that the yellow hue persistent in Vincent Van Gogh's paintings may have been due to a color perception problem caused by disease, medications, or absinthe.