colorblindness - an obstacle for path?

This topic has been discussed in the past, not yielding really definitive answers...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=214136
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=188392

I know a color blind pathologist who is both brilliant at his work and very successful, he works in a complex and demanding environment. He orders some unusual stains occasionally that helps him visualize certain specimens more effectively. I do not think it is a major obstacle.

We have a red/green color blind resident in our program, who is awesome. It doesn't seem to phase him at all. In fact, I thought he was pulling my leg when he told me. I've even heard stories of a completely colorblind pathologist (ie everything is shades of gray) who was successful.

What's behind your eyes is more important than the makeup of your retinal cones.

-mrp

pathdoc68 said:

I know a color blind pathologist who is both brilliant at his work and very successful, he works in a complex and demanding environment. He orders some unusual stains occasionally that helps him visualize certain specimens more effectively. I do not think it is a major obstacle.

Click to expand...

One of the dermpath folks in our program is colorblind and does just fine. Ironically, he gave the dermpath fellow some flak for not identifying a certain color under the scope!