Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue Test Research Articles

Testing of colour vision for vocational purposes.

All red-green defects of colour vision can be effectively screened with a combination of two pseudo- isochromatic tests. Severe (major) colour vision defects regarded as a serious handicap in all occupations needing colour naming ability can be quickly detected with the Panel D-15 dichotomous test. Only a trained ophthalmologist can make the detailed estimation of the type and degree of the colour vision defect with the aid of the anomaloscope and the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test. In the diagnosis of a congenital colour vision defect the exclusion of an eye disease with a consecutive acquired colour vision defect is important.

The role of the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test in monitoring the effect of argon laser treatment in diabetic retinopathy

The role of the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test in monitoring the effect of argon laser treatment in diabetic retinopathy

Field-dependence and color discrimination ability in females.

Previous research has shown that field-independent males are very superior to field-dependent males in ability to discriminate colors. The research reported here examined the same relationship with females. 30 females were tested twice on the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test. As predicted, field-independent females, as a group, performed significantly better on the task than did field-dependent females.

Color vision in albino subjects.

Color vision testing was performed on a group of ten black tyrosinase-positive albino patients and a group of normal subjects. Testing was accomplished by means of a Farnsworth-Munsell (F-M) 100-hue test and Nagel anomaloscope. As a group, the albino patients showed an increase in number of errors scored on the FM-100 hue test, without any specific axis in the majority of cases. Results on the Nagel anomaloscope showed a 'widening' into the red end of the Rayleigh equation. A possible explanation for this apparent widening is discussed, which emphasizes anticipated results of matching ranges obtained on extrafoveal cones.

Retinal Function in Stargardt's Disease and Fundus Flavimaculatus

Ten patients with Stargardt's disease and 14 with fundus flavimaculatus underwent thorough ophthalmic examinations, retinal photography, and, when possible, fluorescein angiography. Retinal function was also assessed by static and kinetic perimetry, the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test, electro-oculography, and electroretinography. Visual acuity and color discrimination were reduced in all patients (mean visual acuity, 20/120; mean error score, 365). On electroretinography all patients had some significant abnormality of cone function and 24 eyes had abnormal rod function (mean Vmax, 298.3). Electrooculographic findings were abnormal in 24 eyes and borderline in ten others. These abnormalities were similar in both groups but more severe in fundus flavimaculatus. Stargardt's disease and fundus flavimaculatus did not co-exist in any family studied and the mean duration of disease was similar in both, indicating that Stargardt's disease did not progress to fundus flavimaculatus. Both the age of onset and duration significantly affected the severity of fundus flavimaculatus but neither had a significant effect on Stargardt's disease.

Nomograms for the Assessment of Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test Scores

Although the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test is a sensitive means of evaluating congenital and acquired color vision deficiencies, using the data it provides involves complex calculations. We have developed two nomograms that permit the clinician to determine quickly and easily whether a given score is normal for the patient's age and whether the difference between fellow eyes is within the normal range.

Effect of X-Chrom lens wear on chromatic discrimination and stereopsis in color-deficient observers.

Four color-deficient observers and one normal trichromatic subject were evaluated with color vision and stereoacuity tests during 1 month of X-Chrom lens wear. For all color tests, performance of the normal subject was unaltered by X-Chrom lens wear. Color-deficient subjects demonstrated improved performance on the Ishihara pseudoisochromatic color plates, but either degraded performance or no change on the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue or Pickford-Nicolson red-green anomaloscope test. Three of the five subjects exhibited degraded stereoacuity in conjunction with X-Chrom lens wear. We conclude that the X-Chrom lens does not improve discrimination in color-deficient subjects and may alter stereopsis.

The effect of reduced visual acuity upon Farnsworth 100-hue test performance

Abstract The effect of artificially reduced visual acuity upon performance in the Farnsworth—Munsell 100-hue test has been investigated in a population of 50 individuals with otherwise normal colour vision. Evidence for a significant impairment of performance at low levels of acuity has been obtained.

Dyschromatopsia in Diabetes Mellitus and its Relation to Metabolic Control

In 102 insulin-dependent diabetic patients without retinopathy and with visual acuity 20/20, the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue test was performed, and glycosylated hemoglobin (GlHb) levels were determined. In 70% of the patients, a dyschromatopsia in the yellow-blue axis (tritanopia) was found. No correlation existed between duration of diabetes and tritanopia. On the other hand, the degree of this visual defect was positively correlated with GlHb levels. Thus, dyschromatopsia might be associated with poor metabolic control. It is suggested that dyschromatopsia is a consequence of hypoxia at the neuroepithelial level. The high levels of GlHb could be a contributory cause of hypoxia by reduction of both oxygen release capacity and erythrocyte deformability.

A New Assessment of the Normal Ranges of the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test Scores

We gave the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue color vision test to 232 normal subjects between 10 and 80 years of age. One half the subjects underwent binocular testing followed by monocular testing. In the other half monocular testing preceded binocular testing. Performance was better with both eyes than with either eye alone. The worst performance occurred on monocular tests in subjects without previous experience with the task (that is, those for whom this was the first test). The well-known age trend was apparent (children and elderly have the worst color vision). New data are provided for judging the point at which the total error score may be considered pathologic.

Heredity, color vision, and alcoholism.

Ninety-two Cree individuals were tested with the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test (FM = 100). Information concerning racial membership, age, sex, and drinking behavior was collected. High error scores (for the FM-100) were found in this Cree population. Alcoholic individuals (both abstinent and nonabstinent) had higher error scores than a comparable population of nonalcoholic Cree individuals from the same population. Implications concerning the etiology of alcoholism are discussed.

Reversible colour vision defects in obstructive jaundice.

The ocular function of 14 non-alcoholic, high icteric patients with recent occlusion of the common bile duct and 3 patients with viral hepatitis with a cholestatic pattern was studied. By means of a colour vision test panel including the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test, 12 patients were initially classified as colour defective with a pattern of acquired colour vision deficiency (ACVD), predominantly of a tritan type. Visual acuity, visual field, slit lamp microscopy, intraocular pressure, ophthalmoscopy and tear secretion tests were normal, and all patients had normal levels of serum vitamin A. Retesting of 4 initially colour defective patients after disappearance of the obstructive jaundice showed a complete normalisation of the ACVD's. It is concluded, that the colour perception in patients with obstructive jaundice is related to the serum bilirubin level, and not to a deficiency of vitamin A.

Field dependence, practice, and low illumination as related to the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test.

36 soldiers were given the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test to: (1) validate published research in which a field-independent group had been found to be superior to a field-dependent group in discriminating colors; (2) investigate unpublished findings in which substantial improvement had been shown in color discrimination performance over five trials of the 100-Hue test; and (3) determine the effect of low illumination (25 w, 40 w, and 60 w) on performance of the color discrimination task. A field-independent and a field-central group each performed significantly more accurately than a field-dependent group under all illumination conditions, and seven repeated administrations at 100 w resulted in significant improvements in performance. Color discrimination in the 25-w condition was significantly poorer than in the other illumination conditions. The implications are discussed.

A recommendation for illumination of the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test.

The effect of illuminance on the performance of the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue (FM 100) test has previously been reported for young observers with normal color vision. However, information regarding these effects for older persons is lacking. This study reports the effect of illuminance level, over a wide range, on the FM100 performance of 10 elderly subjects with normal color vision compared to a control group of five young adult normal subjects. A recommendation is made for a standard level of illuminance for administration of the FM100-hue test.

The clinical assessment of colour discrimination in senile macular degeneration.

The colour discrimination of 15 subjects manifesting senile macular degeneration was investigated, over a wide range of illuminances, using the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue test and Panel D-15. Ten subjects of similar ages with normal colour vision were investigated concurrently to provide a control group. Colour discrimination was shown to deteriorate with decreasing illuminance this being more marked for the subjects with senile macular degeneration than for the normal subjects. It is demonstrated that the FM 100 is the preferred test for assessment of colour discrimination loss in senile macular degeneration with early visual acuity loss. The Panel D-15 is more useful as acuity loss becomes more marked.

Color Vision Deficiencies

On the basis of anamnestic data from digitalis-intoxicated patients, rates of general disorders of vision between 6 and 20% have been reported. We used a psychophysical method, an automatically evaluated Farnsworth's Munsell 100-Hue Test, to detect color vision deficiencies in patients who received beta-methyldigoxin or beta-acetyldigoxin for at least 4 weeks as maintenance therapy. Patients were subgrouped according to serum digoxin concentrations measured by radioimmunoassay. There was a significant correlation between extent and rate of color vision deficiencies and serum digoxin concentrations. About 80% of the intoxicated patients showed generalized color vision deficiencies.

The Use of Colour Vision Measurement in the Diagnosis of Digoxin Toxicity

Colour vision has been measured, using the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue test, in control subjects and in patients taking digoxin. In 10 patients with digitalis toxicity, of whom only two described symptomatic abnormalities, colour vision was impaired compared with that of both control subjects and non-toxic patients who had been taking digoxin for more than two months. Withdrawal of digoxin from toxic patients led to improved colour vision. Colour vision scores correlated well with (a) log plasma digoxin concentrations, and (b) various measures of the pharmacodynamic effects of cardiac glycosides on cation transport in the patients' own erythrocytes. These results suggest that colour vision assessment may be of use in screening for digitalis toxicity at the bedside and in assessing the degree of digitalis intoxication in an individual patient as an aid to clinical research.

Cerebral color blindness: An acquired defect in hue discrimination

In contrast to the traditional view that striate visual cortex (area 17) is surrounded by two homogeneous cortical areas (areas 18 and 19), recent studies have shown that mammalian extrastriate visual cortex contains several anatomically and functionally distinct subregions. One such region, the V-4 complex of the rhesus monkey, is highly specialized for the analysis of color information, suggesting that a lesion in a homologous region might produce a defect in color vision while sparing other visual functions. We have studied a patient whose clinical syndrome supports this suggestion: a 44-year-old man with normal color vision suffered two cerebral infarctions that produced first a right and then a left superior homonymous quadrantanopia and also caused prosopagnosia, topographical disorientation, and severely impaired color vision. Computed tomography demonstrated extensive lesions in both inferior occipital lobes in the territories of the lateral branches of the posterior cerebral arteries, involving the lingual and medial occipitotemporal gyri bilaterally; these gyri contain the inferior portion of striate cortex and segments of extrastriate visual cortex. The patient had no difficulty in giving the correct color names associated with common objects presented either verbally or in outline drawings. Standardized testing with the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test, the Nagel anomaloscope, and a method that tests for just-noticeable differences between monochromatic stimuli all showed that the patient's ability to distinguish one color from another was markedly imparied but not totally absent. In contrast, visual acuity, reading, visually guided eye movements, and stereopsis were normal. Cells in the V-4 complex of monkey extrastriate cortex are highly specialized for distinguishing one color from another; the hue discrimination deficit that was demonstrated in this patient with cerebral color blindness indicates that a region or regions with similar function has been damaged.

Autosomal Recessive Incomplete Achromatopsia with Deutan Luminosity

Four patients in three different families had a form of autosomal recessive incomplete achromatopsia not previously described. The visual acuity was 6/18 to 6/60 (20/60 to 20/200) with minimal ophthalmoscopic abnormality and normal fluorescein angiogram. The photopic electroretinographic responses were present in all four patients; the fusion rate of 60 Hz was only slightly subnormal. The high-intensity scotopic response was subnormal. The patients failed color screening plates and accumulated over 400 errors with scotopic axis on the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test. The Rayleigh match was abnormal, displaced toward the red primary, but with normal luminance. The photopic luminous efficiency function was similar to that of the deuteranope. Color matching revealed a trichromatic form of color vision mediated by long wavelength and short wavelength cones, and a rhodopsin receptor.

Tobacco amblyopia: the effect of treatment on the electroretinogram.

In seven recently diagnosed and untreated patients with tobacco amblyopia the light and dark adapted electroretionograms were recorded together with visual acuity, central fields and the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue test. After 3 months treatment with injections of hydroxocobalamin all these tests were repeated. An improvement in visual acuity resulted in all cases. A significant reduction in the Farnsworth-Munsell total error score of the seven patients was noted (p less than 0.01). A significant increase in the amplitude of the light adapted b-wave of the ERG was found (0.01 less than p less than 0.02) following the course of hydroxocobalamin injections. No other significant changes in the ERG were demonstrated. It is suggested that the ERG changes demonstrated an improvement in an abnormal biochemical state in those bipolar and perhaps Müller cell of the inner nuclear layer of the retina which make electrophysiological connnections chiefly with foveal cones.