Achromatopsia is a serious disease of the visual apparatus, in which the perception of colors is completely impaired. Thus, a person sees all the objects around him in black and white. The reason for the appearance of achromasia is most often heredity, but with damage to the center of the retina or optic nerve, color perception can also be impaired.
Symptoms of the disease
With achromatopsia, the following symptomatic manifestations can be noted:
- problems with the perception of individual shades (red, blue, green) - a person sees objects in black and white;
- complete loss of vision;
- photophobia.
With incomplete loss of perception of colors , a person has more acute vision. With this disease, visibility during twilight is significantly improved. In this case, the patient is diagnosed with incomplete achromatopsia, which means that violations of the visual apparatus can be eliminated.
Diagnosis of achromasia
You can diagnose the disease at a very young age during classes with a child aimed at studying color differences. In a healthy person , three cone mechanisms function fully, with achromasia, cones are disrupted, a person sees everything in black and white only.
People suffering from achromatopsia cannot be without glasses in sunlight, since the rays, acting on the retina, cause pain.
Ophthalmologists use Rabkin polychromatic tables or electroretinography to diagnose the disease. Therefore, if a child reveals symptoms of achromatopsia, you should immediately contact a medical institution.
What is achromatopsia can be explained in more detail and in detail only by a doctor who analyzes the results of studies and can identify the cause of the onset of this disease (congenital (genetic) or acquired as a result of transferring some diseases or damage to the visual apparatus).
Disease treatment
There are currently no options for a complete cure. The only thing that can be done is to reduce photophobia and slightly improve visual acuity. To do this, you must regularly wear special light-protective glasses, do exercises for the eyes and follow all the advice of an ophthalmologist.
It is possible that the development of science in the future will enable such patients to feel the fullness of life. Achromatopsia is not completely treated. In some cases, it is possible to improve the patient's condition, but this relates more to the neutralization of symptoms than to their elimination. It is not possible to cure achromasia caused by chromosomal abnormalities.
Teaching children with achromatopsia and socializing the disease
There are no contraindications for attending an ordinary school by a child who is diagnosed with achromatopsia. This means that he has every right to go to school without a specialized tilt. The only thing that needs to be done is to warn the teachers. Such children can study very well, despite their vision problems.
If necessary, you need to provide your child with textbooks with a larger font or provide him with magnifying devices that will simplify the reading process. A child with achromatopsia should sit in the front row, as visual impairment significantly affects perception.
In adulthood, some restrictions appear, for example, a person with a lack of color perception cannot drive a car or be an employee in an area where color difference is a necessary moment.
Achromatopsia: photos
You can find a large number of photographs that clearly show the differences in a healthy visual apparatus that has color-sensitive disorders.
In the photo clearly on the left you can see the absence of cones - cells responsible for perception and the ability to distinguish colors.
For an accurate diagnosis, electroretinography is necessary. This diagnostic method is optimal for suspected achromasia.
You can neutralize the symptoms of the disease (in particular, pain when exposed to light rays) with the help of special glasses equipped with red glasses.
Achromatopsia is a disease that almost does not cause inconvenience to a person, since from birth he is not able to see the colorfulness of the world. As a result, people with this disease have an individual color perception, which is dominated by shades of gray, white and black.
Difficulties can appear only in the case of an acquired disease, then it is difficult for a person to reconcile, he is often overcome by depressive states. The development of achromasia may be due to pituitary injuries or inflammation of the brain, localized in the lobe responsible for the functioning of color perception.