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Colour Vision Assessment

Some people have defective colour vision. This may be inherited (and present at birth) or acquired later in life as a result of a disease of the eye. About one incolour_blindness12 men (8%) and one in 200 women (0.5%) have defective colour vision. Very few of these people are totally colour blind: most have a reduced ability to recognise or discriminate colours and see colours differently from those who have normal colour vision.

The ACO runs a specialised clinic for the assessment of colour vision. We have a wide range of tests to identify and diagnose congenital and acquired colour vision defects.  We also determine the extent or severity of the colour vision defect and whether people with colour vision defects meet the colour vision standards for occupations.

Services
A wide range of tests to diagnose congenital and acquired colour vision defects is available. Staff are able to determine the extent or severity of the colour vision defect.
Staff are able to determine whether people with colour vision defects meet the colour vision standards for occupations. This involves using tests such as:
  • Ishihara Pseudoisochromatic plates
  • Holmes Wright A and B lantern tests
  • modified Farnsworth Lantern Test (Practical Lantern test)
  • Farnsworth Lantern Test (Optec 9000)
  • Nagel Anomaloscope
  • Medmont C100
  • OSCAR test
  • D15 panel test
  • H16 panel test
  • L'Anthony's desaturated test
Common occupations which may have colour vision requirements in Victoria are
  • Victoria Police
  • Pilots
  • Heavy Vehicle Drivers
  • Electricians
  • Mariners

The ACO can provide determination of colour aptitude (how well person assesses, disciminates and sorts colours) of people with normal colour vision. This is useful for people in occupations such as printing, paint and the textile industries. Off-site colour aptitude assessments to industry (minimum 6 colour aptitude assessments at one site) can also be provided.  Educational, occupational and everyday advice about colour vision defects is also provided.

Location Carlton only
Eligibility

The Colour Vision Clinic is available to everyone.

People can be self-referred or referred by private optometrists, medical practitioners, safety officers, human resources personnel. Assessments can be conducted on children as young as 5 years depending on their cognitive level.
Cost Occupational colour vision assessments are not covered by Medicare. Information on the price for the consultation is available at the time of making an appointment.

 

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