Color vision deficiency amongst visually impaired patients attending a vision rehabilitation clinic

Introduction Color vision (CV) deficiency can be caused by both congenital and acquired mechanisms. CV deficiencies may affect many aspects patients' life. Patients with visual impairment (VI) due to ocular disease may have acquired CV deficits due to severity of their condition. The purpose of this study is to assess moderate /severe CV deficiency in VI patients seen in the Center for Vision and Aging of the Illinois Eye Institute. Methods: CV was tested on right and left eyes using the large version ‘Panel 16 Quantitative Color Vision Test'. ‘Panel 16 Quantitative Color Vision Test' was administered and scored following standard protocol. CV results were assessed as ‘fail', ‘minor error' or ‘pass'. Patients were queried for age, race, gender, and personal/ family history of CV deficiency. Results: One hundred (100) completed testing. The majority were African-American (84%); female (62%). Mean age was 53. When CV test was assessed, 34% failed in both eyes/could only perform test in 1 eye (OU/monocular); 22% were assessed as ‘minor error' OU/monocular and 20% ‘passed' testing OU/monocular. In addition, 10% failed CV testing in one eye and not the other. Of those failed CV testing in either eye (n=44), 29% reported problems with CV; 35% reported CV had changed/worsened and 2% reported a history of CV deficiency in their family members. Conclusions: A large number of VI patients had moderate/severe CV deficiencies. The majority did not report CV issues/ have family history. These finding underscore the feasibility and importance of assessing CV in VI patients.