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Toggle: English / SpanishColor vision test - Results
Alternative Names
Eye test - color; Vision test - color; Ishihara color vision test
Normal Values:
Normally, you will be able to distinguish all colors.
What abnormal results mean:
This test can determine the following 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 and red/green
- Tritanopia -- difficulty telling the difference between yellow/green and blue/green
Problems in the optic nerve can show up as a loss of color intensity, although the test may be normal.
- Reviewed last on: 2/10/2011
- Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
References
Adams AJ, Verdon WA, Spivey BE. Color vision. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Foundations of Clinical Ophthalmology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:chap 19.
American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Patterns Committee. Preferred Practice Pattern Guidelines. Comprehensive Adult Medical Eye Evaluation. San Francisco, CA: American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2010. Accessed January 17, 2011.
Olitsky SE, Hug D, Smith LP. Examination of the eye. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 618.
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