colorblindness - an obstacle for path?

[ariwax]

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I know it might sound odd, but I have an unusual strain of colorblindness which made it difficult to distinguish the blue from the purple - or whatever it was - when I would examine an H&E in my histology classes. Would that pose a considerable obstacle when examining slides as a practicing pathologist?

 

[deschutes]

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

 

[ariwax]

Ah - thanks.

 

[pathdoc68]

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.

 

[mrp]

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

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.

 

[Doctor B.]

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!