A condition affecting color vision where an individual possesses only two types of cone cells in the retina, rather than the typical three, is characterized by a limited ability to perceive the full spectrum of colors. This form of color deficiency results in the affected individual being able to distinguish only two primary hues. An example includes a person who can only differentiate between shades of blue and yellow, experiencing all other colors as combinations of these two.
Understanding this visual impairment is important within the field of psychology, particularly in the study of sensation and perception. Its analysis helps in comprehending how the brain processes visual information and constructs our subjective experience of color. Historically, studying individuals with this condition has provided valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying normal color vision and the roles of different cone types.