Xref: utzoo sci.med:25662 sci.bio:5162
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!romed!harvs.UUCP!harv
From: harv@harvs.UUCP (Patrick L. Harvey)
Newsgroups: sci.med,sci.bio,bio.general
Subject: Color Blindness
Message-ID: <0B02FFF5.htcdri@harvs.UUCP>
Date: 11 Jun 91 02:50:09 GMT
Reply-To: romed!harvs!harv@asuvax.eas.asu.edu
Lines: 32
X-Mailer: uAccess - Mac Release: 1.1.b6

I am looking for information about color blindness.  I am slightly red-green
color blind, meaning that I can confuse certain shades of red and green.

I assume that the problem is that my eyes cannot differentiate between
frequencies as accurately as they should be able to, because if I see certain
colors reflected off glass (not a mirror - a crude reflector, like a car window
at night) the colors are more distinct.  I am guessing that this is a result
of spectral spreading (prism effect), but I really have no idea.  I surmise
this is the case because I used to have an obnoxious power amp in my car,
and when viewing the front panel LEDs directly they all looked the same. 
But at night, looking at their reflection in the window glass, they were very
obviously red, green, or yellow.  Also, if they were illuminated by external
lights (rather than glowing themselves) the colors were obvious.

Does vision acuity affect color vision?  Say, if I have 20/40 vision, will
my color vision be better if I wear glasses to correct it to 20/20 or 20/15?
(I do not wear glasses - have about 20/25 or something).

Are there drugs which affect color vision?  Do certain vitamins or minerals
affect the way eyes interpret colors? (other than hallucinogens)

Why do colors appear to be substantially more vibrant under water when using
a mask? (there is a 5:4 magnification factor when using a plain diving mask)

Please mail me responses directly and/or post, as my news server has been
quite erratic lately.  I will compile and post answers.

Thanks very much!

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Patrick L. Harvey          | Home: romed!harvs!harv@asuvax.eas.asu.edu
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