Introduction

This series of plates is designed to provide a test

which gives a quick and accurate assessment of colour
vision deficiency of congenital origin. This is the com
monest form of colour vision disturbances.
Most cases of congenital colour vision deficiency are
characterized by a red-green deficiency which may be
of two types; first, a protan type which may be ab
solute (protanopia) or partial (protanomalia), and
secondly, a deutan type which may be absolute (deute
ranopia) or partial (deuteranomalia).
In protanopia the visible range of the spectrum is
shorter at the red end compared with that of the normal,
and that part of the spectrum which appears to the
normal as blue-green, appears to those with protanopia
as grey. The whole visible range of the spectrum in
protanopia consists of two areas which are separatcd
from each other by this grey part. Each area appears
to those with protanopia as one system of colour with
different brightness and saturation within cach area,
the colour in One area being different from that of the
other. The red with a slight tinge of purple which is the
complementary colour of blue-green apears also as grey.
In deuteranopia, that part of the spectrum which ap
pears to the nor mal as green, appears as grey, and the
 this z0na:.
visible range of the spectrum is divided by Furthermore, a failure in the appreciation of blue
two areas, each of which appears to be of one svstem at and yellow may be termed tritanomalia if partial, and
colour. The visible range of the spectrum is not con. tritanopia if absolute, but, even if such cases do exist, they
tracted, in contrast to protanopia. Purple-ed which is the are extremely rare. The plates in this book are not designed
complementary colour of green appears also as grey. for the diagnosis of such cases.
In protanomalia and deuteranomalia, there is no Dart
of the spectrum which appears grey, but the part of How to use the test
spectrum which appears to those with protanopia as
grey, appears to those with protanomalia as a greyish The plates are designed to be appreciated correctly
indistinct colour, and likewise, the grey part of the in a room which is lit adequately by daylight. The intro
duction of direct sunlight or the use of electric light may
spectrum seen by the person with deuteranopia appears
to those with deuteranomalia as an indistinct colour produce some discrepancy in the results because of an
alteration in the appearance of shades of colour. When it
close to grey.
Consequently, one of the peculiarities of red-green is convenient only to use electric light, it should be adjusted
as far as possible to resemble the effect of natural daylight.
deficiencies is that blue and yellow colours appear to be
The plates are held 75 cm from the subject and tilted so
remarkably clear compared with red and green colours.
The application of this peculiarity to the test for colour that the plane of the paper is at right angle to the line of
vision deficiencies is the distinguishing íeature of this vision. The correct position of each plates is indicated by
series. the number which is printed on the back of the plate.
The numer als which are seen on plates l-17 are stated,
In the congenital colour vision
dificiencies, although and each answer should be given without more than three
very rare, there is total colour
weakness. The colour seconds delay. If the subject is unable to read numerals,
sensitivityof the total colour weakness to red and
green, plates 18-24 are used and the winding lines between the
as well as to yellow and blue is
very low and only the two x's are traced with the brush. Each tracing should
clear colours can be perceived; but,
except for the
colour sensitivity, there is no abnormality
be completed within ten seconds.
in the
functions. The plates in this book form an easy visual
It is not necessary in all cases to use the whTle series
method of plates. Plates 16 and 17 may be omitted if the test is
of establishing the
diagnosis on such cases and in designed merely to sepa1 ate the colour defectives from
- 2 -
-3
 In a large scale
colour appreciation. Nos, 10-13. The normal read them as 5 (No. 10), 7 (No.
those with normal simplified to an examination
examination the test may be 11), 16 (No. 12) and 73 (No. 13). The majority
one of Nos. 4,
only; No. 1, one of Nos. 2, 3, of those with colour vision deficiencies can not
of six plates 10, 11, 12, 13. and
one of Nos. read them or read them incorrectly.
5. 6. 7. one of Nos. 8, 9,
one of Nos. 14,
15. Nos. 14. 15. The majority of those with red-green deficien
order of the plates
It may be necessary to vary the deception on th
cies read them as 5 (No. 14) and 45 (No. 15).
is a deliberate
if it is suspected that there The majority of the normal and those with total
part of the subject. colour blindness can not read any numeral.
Nos. 16, 17. The normal read them as 26 (No. 16) and 42
Explanation of the plates (No. 17). In protanopia and strong protanomalia
only 6(No. 16) and 2 (No. 17) are read, and in
This series of plates is made up of the following case of mild protanomala both numerals on each
24 plates. plate are read but the 6 (No. 16) and 2 (No. 17)
No. 1. Both the normal and those witlh all sort of colour are clearer than the other numerals. In deuter
vision deficiencies read it as 12.
anopia and strong deuteranomalia only 2 (No. 16)
Nos. 2, 3. The normal read them as 8 (No. 2) and 29 and 4 (No. 17) are read, and in case of mild
(No. 3). Those with red-green deficiencies read deuteranomalia both numerals on each plate are
them as 3 (No. 2), and 70 (No. 3). Those with
read but the 2 (No. 16) and 4 (No. 17) are clearer
total colour blindness can not read any numeral. than the other numerals.
Nos. 47. The normal read them as 5 (No. 4), 3 (No. 5),
No. 18. In tracing the winding lines between the two x's,
15 (No. 6) and 74 (No. 7). Those with red-green
the normal trace along the purple and red lines.
deficiencies read them as 2 (No. 4), 5 No. 5), 17
(No. 6) and 21 (No. 7). Those with total colour In protanopia and strong protanomalia only the
purple line is traced, and in case of mild prot
blindness can not read any numeral.
Nos. 8, 9. The normal read them as 6 anomalia both lines are traced but the purple line
(No. 8) and 45 is easier to follow.
(No. 9). The majority of those with colour In deuteranopia and strong
vision deuteranomalia only the red line is traced, and in
ceficiencies can not read them read them
case of mild deuteranomalia both lines are traced
incorrectly. but the red line is easier to follow.
-4
-5
 winding line between the two x's, X's, the normal trace the
tracing the two
No. 19. In
of those
with red-green deficiencies orange line:
the majority of those with colour
the majority but the majority of the
but
trace along
the line, deficiencies are unable to follow the vision
those with total colour blindness are line or
normal and follow a line different Irom the normal one.
follow the line. and 35. In tracing the winding line
unable to Nos. 34
winding line between
the two X's,
two x's, the normal
between the
In tracing the bluish-green line, but trace the line connecting
No. 20. trace the the the bluish-green and yellowish-green, those
the normal colour vision deficiencies
with
majority of those or follow a line
with red-green deficiencies trace the ine con
folloy the line
are unable
to necting the bluish-green and purple, and those
normal one.
different from the with total colour blindness and weakness are
between the two xs
21. In tracing the winding line majoritv not able to trace the line.
No. orange line, but the
the normal trace the unable Nos. 36 and 37. In tracing the winding line bet ween the
those with colour vision deficiencies are two x's, the normal trace the line connecting
of from
follow a line diferent
to follow the line or the purple and orange, those with red-green
the normal one. dericiencies trace the line connecting the purple
X's,
winding line between the two and bluish-green, and those with total colour
No. 22. In tracing the bluish
line conneciing the
the normal trace the blindness and weakness are not able to trace
those with red-green
green and yellowish-green, the bluish
the line.
deficiencies trace the line connecting No. 38. In tracing the winding line between the two
those with total colour
green and purple, and x's, both the normal and those with
colour
blindness can not trace any line. vision deficiencies are able to trace the
line.
between the two x's,
No. 23. In tracing the winding line The typical readings of the norm!
person and the
purple
the normal trace the line connecting the person with colour vision defic
encies on plates 1 to 25
deficiencies trace
and orange, those with red-green are listed on the last page.
the line connecting the purple and bluish-green,
and those with total colour blindness and weakness Analysis of the results.
can not trace any line. readings of plates 1to 21 deter
As assessment of the
No. 24. Both the normnal and those with all sort of colour
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6 -
 defectiveness of colour
vision, Person with
mines the normal1ty or Person with Red Total Colour
normally, the colour vision Number Normal
Blindness and
If 17 or more plates are read of Plate Person Green Deficiencies
less than 13 plates Weakness
is regarded as normal. If only 13 or as 1 12 12 12
colour vision is regarded
are read normal, the 19, 20,
2 3 X
to plates 18,
deficient. However, in reference 3 6 5 X
numerals 5, 2, 45, and 4 29 70 X
and 21, only those who read the 5 57 35
those on plates l+, 10, 13
73 and read them easier than 6 5 2
and 17 are recorded as abnormal.
of normal
7 xxxxxxxxxx×xxxxx 5
It is rare to find a person whose recording 15 17

answers is between 14~16 plates. An assessnnent of 74 21

10 2 X
such a case requires tlhe use of other colour vision tests, 11 6 X

including the anomaloscope. 12 97 X

In the assessment of colour appreciation by the short 13 45 X

14 5 X
method involving 6plates only as described on page 4, 7 X
15
a normal recording of all plates is proof of normal colour 16 16 X
vision. If there is adiscrepancy in any of the recordings, 17 73 X

the full series of plates should be used before diagnosing 18 5

a red-green deficiency. 19 2
20 X 45
21 73
Care of the plates. Protan Deutan
It is important that the book of test plates should be Strong Mild Strong Mild
kept closed, except during use, because undue exposure 22 26 6 (2)6 2 2(6)
to sunlight causes a fading of the colour of the 23 42 2 (4)2 4 4(2)
plates. 24 35 5 (3)5 3 3(5)
25 96 6 (9)6 9 9(6)
Blank space denotes
The mark × shows that the plate cannot be read.
that the reading is indefinite. The numerals in parenthesis show that they
can be read but they are comparatively unclear.
8 9 -