Color Vision Testing for the U.S. Naval Academy

Abstract

Normal color vision is a prerequisite for admission to the United States Naval Academy. The Farnsworth Lantern (FALANT) is the Navy's definitive test for color vision. A FALANT is not available at many locations where candidates are examined, so satisfactory performance on pseudoisochromatic plates has been considered an acceptable alternative. Until recently, the Farnsworth Dichotomous Test Panel D-15 had also been used as an alternative test, but is now considered unacceptable. In the summer of 1991, a large number of candidates reported for induction who were unable to pass the FALANT. Since their screening physical examinations had been reported to show normal color vision, a shadow of doubt was cast upon the ability of the alternative tests to predict performance on the FALANT. Four hundred subjects were then tested on several color vision tests to determine if these tests could predict FALANT success. The results of this study and recommendations are presented.