The Bee Sees Red!
Did You Know??
A bee's colour receptors are ultraviolet, blue and green. They can see reddish wavelengths such as yellow/orange but because bees don't have a red receptor as such, they can't "see" red light. The colour we see so vividly is, quite literally, unseen by bees. Bees see blue-green, blue, violet and “bee purple”.
Human Colour Blindness
Colour blindness can be simply defined as trouble in seeing or identifying colours like blue, green and red. There are some rare cases where a person cannot see and identify any colours at all. A person with this syndrome also finds difficulties in differentiating the colours with shades. This syndrome is also called a colour vision problem or colour vision deficiency.
Colour Blinness in Kenya
In Kenya, as in many other countries, color blindness can impact various aspects of life, including education, employment, and daily activities. Here are some key points about color blindness in Kenya:Prevalence: The prevalence of color blindness in Kenya is likely similar to global rates, which affect approximately 8% of males and 0.5% of females. This difference is due to the genetic nature of most color blindness, which is often linked to the X chromosome.Diagnosis: Color blindness can be diagnosed through various tests, such as the Ishihara test, which involves identifying numbers within dot patterns. Access to such diagnostic tools may vary in different regions of Kenya, particularly between urban and rural areas.Impact on Education: Students with color blindness may face challenges in subjects that rely heavily on color differentiation, such as biology, geography, and art. Educators need to be aware of these challenges and make accommodations, such as using high-contrast materials or alternative teaching methods.Employment Challenges: Certain professions, such as those in the fields of design, aviation, and electrical work, may be challenging for individuals with color blindness. Awareness and inclusivity in the workplace are crucial to ensure that people with color blindness are not unfairly disadvantaged.
Other Visual Impairment in Kenya
Blindness and eye disease in Kenya: ocular status survey results from the Kenya Rural Blindness Prevention Project - PUBMEDA series of eight regional eye surveys were conducted in Kenya as part of the Kenya Rural Blindness Prevention Project. Each survey consisted of clinical examinations of about 1800 individuals selected by a random cluster sampling technique in geographically distinct and culturally homogeneous rural areas; 13,803 examinations were completed in all. Together these surveys provide the basis for national estimates of the prevalence and aetiology of visual loss and ocular pathology. The results showed that 0.7% of rural Kenyans are blind in the better eye by WHO standards, and another 2.5% suffer significant visual impairment. Rates of visual loss tend to increase five-fold in each 20-year age cohort. Females have higher prevalence of visual loss than males over age 20, and certain geographical areas have markedly higher rates. The commonest cause of both blindness and visual impairment is cataract, accounting for 38% of all visual loss. Trachoma (a localised problem), glaucoma, macular degeneration, and severe refractive errors follow cataract as leading causes of blindness in the better eye. Trauma, corneal scars of various causes, phthisis, and staphyloma are important causes of monocular blindness.
