Popular television actor Gaurav Khanna, best known for his role in Anupamaa, recently made a revelation on Celebrity MasterChef that took many by surprise. While preparing a dish on the show, he disclosed that he has colour blindness, a condition that affects millions worldwide. His admission sheds light on a condition that often goes unnoticed but significantly impacts daily life. Colour blindness, or colour vision deficiency (CVD), is a visual impairment that limits the ability to distinguish certain colours, typically red, green, or blue. While the condition affects both men and women, it is far more common in men due to its genetic inheritance pattern.
What Is Colour Blindness?
Colour blindness occurs when the cone cells in the retina, responsible for detecting colours, do not function properly. This can result in difficulty distinguishing between certain shades, most commonly red and green. In more severe cases, individuals may struggle to differentiate any colours at all. While some people are born with this condition, others may develop it due to ageing, eye diseases, or medication side effects.
Why Is Colour Blindness More Common in Men?
The prevalence of colour blindness is significantly higher in men than in women, largely due to genetics. The most common form, red-green colour blindness, is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern.
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- Men have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. If a man inherits a faulty gene on his X chromosome, he will develop colour blindness because there is no second X chromosome to compensate.
- Women, on the other hand, have two X chromosomes. Even if one carries the faulty gene, the other usually compensates, making them carriers rather than affected individuals.
- As a result, around 8% of men and only 0.5% of women are affected by colour blindness.
Can Colour Blindness Be Acquired?
While most cases of colour blindness are inherited, it can also be acquired later in life due to various factors. Unlike genetic colour blindness, which primarily affects men, acquired colour blindness can impact both men and women equally.
Common causes of acquired colour blindness include:
- Eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
- Certain medications, including drugs used for heart conditions, malaria, and tuberculosis.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals, particularly in industrial settings.
- Ageing, as deterioration of the retina can lead to colour vision issues.
Can Colour Blindness Be Treated?
There is currently no cure for genetic colour blindness, but certain tools can help individuals adapt. Special colour-correcting glasses and contact lenses can enhance contrast and help differentiate colours. Additionally, various apps and digital filters are available to assist those with colour vision deficiency in navigating daily life.
For acquired colour blindness, treatment depends on the underlying cause. If the condition is due to medication or disease, addressing the root issue may help improve colour perception.
Bottomline
Gaurav Khanna’s revelation about his colour blindness brings much-needed attention to a condition that affects millions, particularly men. While colour blindness is often not life-threatening, it can pose challenges in everyday life, from career choices to simple tasks like cooking. Understanding the condition, its causes, and available coping mechanisms can help those affected lead more comfortable lives.