Care For Achromatopsia

Achromatopsia (ACHM) typically refers to the inability to interpret color and achieve visual acuity in situations of high light levels, such as exterior daylight. This syndrome shows symptoms that relate to at least five separate disorders. It typically refers to a congenital color vision disorder, but can also refer to color agnosia and cerebral achromatopsia, both acquired disorders. A common trait of achromatopsia is called hemeralopia; blindness in full sun. Other classifications include dyschromatopsia, amblyopia, and nystagmus.

Achromatopsia is usually first noticed by photophobic activity or nystagmus (uncontrolled oscillatory eye movements) in children around six months of age. Nystagmus normally becomes less noticeable with age, but the other symptoms become more pronounced as school age approaches. Acuity of vision and eye stability generally improves during the first 6–7 years of life. The congenital forms of achromatopsia, however, are considered stationary and do not worsen with age.