Specifying colours for colour vision testing using computer graphics

Abstract

Aims. This paper describes a novel test of colour vision using a standard personal computer, which is simple and reliable to perform. Methods. Twenty healthy individuals with normal colour vision and 10 healthy individuals with a red/green colour defect were tested binocularly at 13 selected points in the CIE (Commission International d'Eclairage, 1931) chromaticity triangle, representing the gamut of a computer monitor, where the x, y coordinates of the primary colour phosphors were known. Results. The mean results from individuals with normal colour vision were compared to those with defective colour vision. Of the 13 points tested, five demonstrated consistently high sensitivity in detecting colour defects. Conclusion. The test may provide a convenient method for classifying colour vision abnormalities. © 2004 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.