Frequency of Color Blindness in Driving License Candidates Presenting in Allied Hospital, Faisalabad

Abstract

Background: Color vision is an integral part of visual functions. Defective color vision may leadto difficulties in daily activities and even choosing and continuing in a certain profession. Colorvision deficiency or blindness may be congenital or acquired due to retinal or optic nerve disorders Aim: To investigate the frequency of color blindness or weakness in driving license candidates presenting for medical exam, for the year 2019. Methodology: The study design was descriptive cross sectional and the sampling technique wasnon probability convenient sampling. The place of study was eye outdoor of Allied Hospital,Faisalabad. The sample size was 13,637 based on inclusion criteria. The subjects ranged in agefrom 18 years onwards to a maximum presentation of 76 years with mean age as 30.728 ±10.131.Both genders were included in the study. Visual acuity was tested on Snellen’s Chart andrefraction, if needed, was performed to obtain best corrected acuity. Results: The results of the study showed that most of the subjects had 6/6 vision as 96.6% in righteye and 96.5% in left eye, 6/9 as 2.8% and 2.9% and 6/12 as 0.3% and 0.4% respectively for rightand left eye. The frequency of normal color vision was 94%, 4.9% for red green deficiency and 1.1% for color blindness. Conclusion: A frequency of 4.9% and 1.1% for color deficiency and color blindness respectively, in drivers, indicates that color vision must be tested to avoid any possible accidents related todeficient color perception. Keywords: Driving license, colorblindness