Color vision test

You will sit in a comfortable position in regular lighting. The health care provider will explain the test to you. There are several tests for color vision. During the most common, you will be shown several cards with colored dot patterns. These cards are called Ishihara plates. In the patterns, some of the dots will…

If your child is having this test performed, it may be helpful to explain how the test will feel, and to practice or demonstrate on a doll. Your child will feel less anxious about the test if you explain what will happen and why. Usually there is a sample card of multicolored dots that almost everyone can identify,…

The test is similar to a vision test.

This test is done to determine whether you have any problems with your color vision. Color vision problems often fall into two categories: Present from birth (congenital) problems in the light-sensitive cells (cones) of the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye) -- the color cards are used in this…

If your color vision is normal, you will be able to distinguish all the letters, numbers, or symbols on the Ishihara plates. If you were tested with bottle caps, you will be able to identify the colors correctly.

This test can determine the following congenital (present from birth) color vision problems: Achromatopsia -- complete color blindness , seeing only shades of gray Deuteranopia -- difficulty telling the difference between red/purple and green/purple Protanopia -- difficulty telling the difference between blue/green…

There are no risks with this test.

Chuck RS, Dunn SP, Flaxel CJ; American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern Committee, et al. Comprehensive adult medical eye evaluation preferred practice pattern. Ophthalmology . 2021;128(1):1-29. www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(20)31026-5/fulltext . Published November 12, 2020. Accessed April…