Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the efficacy of a modified Ishihara color test in preschoolers.
Methods
The Ishihara test was performed to screen 115 children 3 to 6 years of age for color vision deficiency. Children who could not read numbers were instructed to trace the shapes of the numbers and of colored winding lines on the test plates using a cotton-tipped applicator. The ability of the children to understand and complete the test was investigated.
Results
The Ishihara test was satisfactorily taken by 96.5% of the 115 children. Two 3-year-olds and two 4-year-olds did not understand the test. Thirty-five percent of the 3-year-olds could not read numbers but successfully used the tracing method. Three of the 51 boys and none of the 64 girls were considered color deficient.
Conclusion
The modified Ishihara test was successfully performed by children aged 3 to 6.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kim HB, Lee SY, Choe JK, Lee JH, Ahn BH. The incidence of congenital color deficiency among Koreans. J Korean Med Sci 1989;4:117–120.
Belcher SJ, Greenshields KW, Wright WD. Color vision survey using the Ishihara Dvorine Boström and Kugelberg, Boström and American-Optical Hardy-Rand-Rittler tests. Br J Ophthalmol 1958;42:355–359.
Birch J. Efficiency of the Ishihara test for identifying red-green color deficiency. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 1997;17;403–408.
Swanson WH, Everett M. Color vision screening of young children. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 1992;29:49–54.
Gallagher JR, Gallagher CD. Color vision screening of preschool and first grade children. Arch Ophthalmol 1964;72:200–211.
Mäntyjärvi M. Color vision testing in pre-school-aged children. Ophthalmologica 1991;202:147–151.
Ekert M, Bujger Z, Cerovski B. Early detection of inborn dyschromatopsias in preschoolers and young school children. Ophthalmologica 1995;209:242–247.
Birch J, Platts CE. Color vision screening in children an evaluation of three pseudoisochromatic tests. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 1993;13:344–349.
Cosstick M, Robaei D, Rose K, Rochtchina E, Mitchell P. Numerical confusion errors in Ishihara testing: findings from a population-based study. Am J Ophthalmol 2005;140:154–156.