Daltonism may also be referred to as Deuteranopia*,
Protanopia*
and as "Red-Blindness".
* Strictly, these terms have slightly different meanings
- the differences being very important for the detailed understanding
of colour vision. For the puroposes of this short definition, readers
are advised that all of the above terms (and some others) refer to conditions
involving deficiency in discrimination between colours, and especially
between shades of red and green.
Daltonism is a form of colour
blindness such that affected persons cannot perceive the difference
between shades of red
and shades of green.
Because the first scientific paper about colour blindness (by John
Dalton, see below) described this particular type of colour
blindness, colour blindness in general (all forms) has sometimes
been referred to as "Daltonism", though
such use of the term may cause confusion. |
|
|
|
.
Daltonism is named after the British Chemist, John Dalton
(1766 - 1844).
|
Ref: Dalton J, 1798 "Extraordinary
facts relating to the vision of colours: with observations"
Memoirs of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester
5 28-45. |
More about Ophthalmology: This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include the diagram
of the eye, and definitions
of parts of the eye, a description
of the human retina, and definitions
of parts of the retina, and the section of short definitions
of clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system.
For further information see also our section of Books
about Ophthalmology. |
 |
This Section
is about
Diseases
and Disorders of the Eyes and Visual System.
To read about other diseases, disorders, or conditions of the eye and
human visual system, use the links on the left-side of this page.
|
