Color blindness is easy to identify. If you were born color blind, you’ve likely known this information from a young age. Some forms of color blindness are thought to be genetically linked, as the trait is more prevalent in specific populations or genders. In men with Northern European ancestry, as many as 8 percent have the red-green form of color blindness. If you’re considering being tested for color blindness or are a medical professional looking to update medical tools and screening instruments, here are a few things you should know about vision testing for color.

What is Color Blindness?

Rods and cones control different aspects of vision, like color, detail, night vision, and peripheral vision. Cone cells are mostly located in the center of the retina are responsible for seeing color. If the cones in the eye are damaged, color blindness is experienced. The most common type is red-green color blindness, which minimally impacts everyday life. In individuals experiencing red-green color blindness, both hues are muted to a grey or brown.

Tests for Color Blindness

One of the first tests used to identify color blindness is the Ishihara color test plate because it’s simple to administer. In fact, this can be done quickly at home and is sometimes used in schools as a classroom activity for an initial screening when color blindness is suspected. In this test, opposing colors are placed into a set of images – usually a background color and a number. If a person cannot read the number or design, the plate will look monochromatic. This is an indicator that the individual experiences some form of color blindness.

For those who were born color blind, the Ishihara color test plate is sufficient in confirming color blindness. However, in the case of people who experience a sudden change to their vision or acquired color blindness, more sophisticated screening and testing with optical tools are encouraged to diagnose the issue at hand. Of course, if you experience any form of color blindness, it is always recommended to see a trusted medical provider to address your specific vision needs, and potentially, conduct a vision screening exam.

Advanced Vision Screening

A vision screener is an optical tool that provides a report on the qualities of a patient’s vision, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, glaucoma, astigmatism, and other vision deficiencies. These devices are often used by optometrists, driver’s license testing, child screening for schools, and occupational health professionals. Vision Screeners are also essential in testing for colorblindness.

There are several vision screeners on the market, but the Depisteo VT1 Vision Screener is top notch for efficiency due to quick screening time and user-friendly interface. Adding a fast and reliable tool to your practice is an important step in prioritizing patient care and efficient use of appointment time. The device is ideal to use in color-blind testing and uses the Ishihara type colors test to do so. Because of this, it is an efficient all in one tool, preferred by medical offices and professionals around the world.

With a tool like the VT1, a complete visual test can be completed in 5 minutes or less, and results can be exported quickly.

Several tests are also covered by Medicare, including the color test, glaucoma screening, and acuity testing. Learn more about the Depisteo VT1 Vision Screener today.