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Home > Ask the Optician > How can colour vision be tested?

Ask the Optician

How can colour vision be tested?

On 3 March 2011 by Nigel Best

Question

How can colour vision be tested?

Answer Video and written answer:
Qualified optometrist Nigel Best BSc (Hons) MCOptom FBCLA FAAO answers this question:

There are various tests which can be used, however the most commonly used is the Ishihara test. In this test the optician shows the patient a number of plates which are printed with dots of different colours, brightness, density and sizes, arranged so that the dots of similar colour form a figure (for example a number) among a background of dots in another colour.

If a person has defective colour vision, they will be unable to identify some, or all, of the figures hidden in the dots depending upon what type of colour blindness that they suffer from.

For more information about colour vision, see our video below:

Optician's Biography

Nigel Best BSc (Hons) MCOptom FBCLA FAAO has worked as an optometrist at Specsavers for 18 years. He is currently the Director of Specsavers Optometrists in Darlington and Richmond (N.Yorks), a College of Optometrists supervisor and a member of the Optometry in Practice editorial board. He has written papers published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and regional training events. He has written a number of contributions to optical and medical publications for the public, including sections on eyes and eye diseases for a Reader’s Digest guide.

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