Colour sense test

There are two types of colour vision deficiency: congenital and acquired. Those affected often notice such a colour vision disorder themselves, or are required to undergo a colour vision test or colour perception assessment before commencing certain vocational training programmes (for example, to become a pilot or police officer). The most common colour vision disorder is red-green colour blindness.

The colour vision test at BeyondEye

To test for red-green colour vision deficiency or colour blindness, we carry out the Ishihara test at our practice. This consists of several colour plates featuring various coloured circles. These depict numbers or patterns. Some colour charts cannot be recognised by people with red-green colour vision deficiency. Conversely, there are also test charts that only people with red-green colour vision deficiency can recognise. If the exact extent of a colour vision deficiency needs to be determined for expert assessment purposes, the colour vision test must be supplemented by a further examination using an anomaloscope.

Good to Know

What is an anomaloscope?
The anomaloscope is a device used in ophthalmology to determine the extent of colour vision defects. It is also used in colour vision testing. During the examination, we display a colour on the device and ask you to mix a colour that matches the reference shown on the device. A so-called anomaly quotient is calculated from the ratio between the colour you have mixed and the reference colour. This figure often needs to be specified in expert reports.