Prevalence Of Color Vision Deficiency Research Articles

Towards Conceptualizing a Policy and Promoting Advocacy for People With Color Vision Deficiency: Addressing the Importance of Color Vision Deficiency in India and Creating a Global Reference Template

Color vision is crucial for daily life, and conditions such as color blindness and deficiencies can negatively impact one's quality of life and livelihood. According to a study in India there was an increase in the prevalence of color vision deficiency (CVD) among children and young adult teenagers, who are losing empowering opportunities in education and academics. However, this trend can be managed with evidence-based new interventions and objectives from India's developing nation models. This policy paper mainly highlights the need for effective strategies to address this issue. Early identification of CVD is crucial for effective interventions and rehabilitation to reduce medical, behavioral, and economic burdens on patients, families, and society. Strategies include policy prescriptions, advocacy, public health campaigns, investing in a trained workforce, and using technology to facilitate early screening in educational institutes. These strategies aim to address the growing healthcare crisis of CVD.

Are red/green colour vision deficient individuals at altered risk of myopia?

Aims/Purpose: To investigate the association between red/green colour vision deficiency (CVD) and myopia in Irish and Australian participants.Methods: Data from the Ireland Eye Study (IES; age 12–13 years), Raine Study Gen2 cohort (Australia; age 18–22 years) and Kidskin Study (Australia; age 25–30 years) were used. Colour vision was assessed with the Hardy‐Rand‐Ritler (IES) or Ishihara colour vision test (Raine, Kidskin). Right eye spherical equivalent refractive error (SER; myopia defined as SER ≤ −0.50 dioptres [D]) was measured with cycloplegic autorefraction and right eye axial length (AXL) with interferometry. Participants who were female, or with incomplete colour vision or refraction data, tritanomaly, monochromacy, previous surgery or condition‐altering refraction were excluded. Linear and logistic regression were used for analysing binary and continuous outcomes, respectively, with an interaction between study country and CVD.Results: After exclusions (n = 56), there were 2488 participants of whom 1286 (51.7%) were male (IES: n = 503, Raine: n = 676 and Kidskin: n = 107). The prevalence of CVD across the IES, Raine and Kidskin studies, respectively, was 5.8% (16 deutan, 9 protan, 5 unclassified), 5.5% (18 deutan, 3 protan, 16 unclassified) and 6.5% (6 deutan, 1 unclassified). After adjusting for age, any red/green CVD was not associated with myopia risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.86–2.32, p = 0.36), SER or AXL. However, when analysed by CVD type, deutan CVD was associated with higher odds of myopia (OR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.19 to 4.44, p = 0.01) and a more myopic SER (difference = −0.61D, 95% CI: −1.09 to −0.12, p = 0.02; AXL: difference = 0.09 mm, 95%CI: −0.19 to 0.37, p = 0.51), compared to non‐CVD participants, while other CVD types were not associated with myopia (protan: OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.20–4.41, p = 0.94; unclassified: OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.08–1.56, p = 0.17), SER or AXL.Conclusions: In contrast to previous findings in Chinese school students, participants with a deutan CVD in this study had a higher risk of myopia.

Prevalence of Congenital Color Vision Deficiency in Southern Taiwan and Detection of Female Carriers by Visual Pigment Gene Analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of color vision deficiencies (CVDs) and determine whether carriers could be detected by analyzing the visual pigment genes. Materials and Methods: The data of students who underwent routine CVD screening using the Ishihara color test in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan were analyzed. Furthermore, the DNA samples of 80 randomly selected females and four obligate carriers were analyzed. The most upstream genes, downstream genes, and the most downstream genes in the red/green pigment gene arrays were amplified separately using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and exon 5 of each gene was analyzed. The prevalence of congenital red-green CVD in this study was 3.46% in males and 0.14% in females. The PCR analysis of the first gene, downstream gene, and last gene revealed normal patterns in 73 normal cases. Seven unusual patterns were detected in two proton carriers and five deutan carriers. Among the randomly selected females, 8.8% (7/80) were CVD carriers. The prevalence of CVD among male Taiwanese students in this study was 3.46%. Female carriers of congenital CVD can be identified by molecular analysis of the visual pigment genes. The proportion of CVD carriers among the randomly selected females was 8.8%, which was slightly higher than expected and further studies are warranted.

Prevalence of color vision deficiency among Chinese college students and their quality of life.

To investigate the prevalence of color vision deficiency (CVD) among college students and their quality of life (QoL) in a Chinese college. This cross-sectional study was performed in Sichuan University in Chengdu, China. The questionnaire containing participants' demographic data, as well as CVD related QoL was distributed to students who were screened as CVD [by Color Vision Examination Plates (Version 6)] in 2022 freshman entrance examination. Color blindness QoL (CBQoL) and utility analysis were used to evaluate the QoL of CVD students. There were 381 of 17 303 (2.20%) students screened as CVD, including 368 (4.11%) males and 13 (0.16%) females. A total of 317 students completed the questionnaire, the response rate was 83.20%. Only 166 participants (52.3%) knew they have CVD before the physical examination for college entrance examination, while a total of 145 participants (45.74%) hoped to be diagnosed earlier. The medians of CBQoL score and utility were 5.85 (range 2.2-6) and 1 (range 0-1), respectively. The proportions of students whose QoL is affected by CVD were 67.63% (211/312) and 42.27% (134/317) measured by CBQoL and utility analysis respectively. The prevalence of CVD in males is much higher than that in females. The time when CVD students first became aware of their CVD is relatively late. The QoL of the study population is quite high, while a large proportion of students' QoL are affected by CVD. It is suggested that as a congenital defect, CVD screening in China should be earlier, and appropriate guidance and support are needed for CVD patients to help them better adapt to life, study, and work.

The prevalence of red-green color vision deficiency and its related factors in an elderly population above 60 years of age.

To determine the prevalence of red-green (RG) color vision deficiency (CVD) in an elderly population and its related factors. This report is a part of the Tehran Geriatric Eye Study: a cross-sectional population-based study that was conducted on the elderly population (≥60y) of Tehran, Iran using multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling. All study participants underwent complete ocular examination, including the measurement of uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity, objective and subjective refraction, and slit-lamp biomicroscopy. The color vision was tested using Ishihara plates with the near optical correction in place. Of the 3791 invitees, 3310 participated in the study. The data of 2164 individuals were analyzed after applying the exclusion criteria. The prevalence of R-G CVD was 3.73% (95%CI: 2.37%-5.09%) in the whole sample; the prevalence of protanomaly, protanopia, and deuteranopia was 1.51%, 1.76%, and 0.45%, respectively. The prevalence of R-G CVD was significantly higher in males than in females. The prevalence of RG CVD increased with advancing age from 2.91% in the age group 60-64y to 5.8% in the age group ≥80y (P=0.070). According to the multiple logistic regression model, male sex, and glaucoma were significantly related to RG CVD. Older age and hypertension also had a marginally significant relationship with RG CVD. Changes in color vision occur in the elderly due to the aging process and some physiological and pathological factors. Since the change in visual perception may affect the person's performance, this aspect of the visual system's function should also be taken into consideration in the examinations of the elderly.

The prevalence of colour blindness among the males of the Bhoksha tribe in Dehradun, India

Colour Blindness is an X-linked recessive disorder which predominantly appears in males. Colour blindness is the inability or decreased ability to perceive colour differences by the human eye under normal lighting conditions. The purpose of the present study was to find out the prevalence of congenital Red-Green colour blindness among the people of the Bhoksha tribe in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand. The study was conducted with a total number of 204 individuals aged from 5 years to 85 years (mean ± SD is 22.71 ± 13.15) among the randomly selected male population. Colour blindness was examined using a standard Ishihara Chart under proper light. Among the total sample of 204 males in the community, 3 males are found to be colour blind which means that 98.53% were found to be normal, and the frequency of colour blindness was 1.47%. These three cases represented protanopia, deuteranopia and achromatopsia. Colour blindness appeared among the Pundir, Chauhan and Kakkad clans of the Bhoksha tribe in three villages. In conclusion, 1.47% were found to be colourblind in this study among the Bhoksha tribe of Dehradun, which is very high as compared with the prevalence in other tribal populations in India, although they were unaware of it. The present study supports Post and Pickford’s (1962, 1963) hypothesis of relaxation of selection.

Prevalence of color vision deficiency among primary school pupils in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Background and objectives: Color vision deficiency or color blindness is a difficulty in recognizing certain colors. The color vision deficient persons remain unmindful about their condition and only become aware accidentally when tested for color vision. Color vision deficiency may affect job performance in certain careers like drivers, pilots, electrical and electronic engineers, policemen, artists, and medical practitioners. The study aims to detect the color vision deficiency prevalence among the primary school pupils in Duhok city. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among randomely selected two primary school children in Duhok city, Iraq from 1st February 2019 to 1st May 2019. Socio-demographic data was collected by interview using a questionnaire. All participants underwent color vision evaluation using Ishihara’s pseudo isochromatic test 24 plate editions. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 24. Results: Out of 978 pupils, 491 were males (50.21%) and 487 were females (49.79%), color vision deficiency was detected in 55 pupils giving a prevalence of (5.63%); among them, 38 pupils have had deutan defects (3.89%) and 17 had protan defects (1.74%). Color vision deficient pupils were 47 males (9.6%) and 8 females (1.64%). Conclusions: This study found that 5.63% of pupils were color deficient, with male gender predominance. All of the color deficient pupils were unmindful of their condition. Green color deficient pupils (deutans) were more than red color deficient (protans), with zero cases of total color blindness.

Prevalence And Allele Frequency Of Colour Blindness In Al-Najaf Al Ashraf Province

Background: Colour blindness or colour vision deficiency is an inability or reduced ability to described certain colours, there are several types of colour blindness but the more common type red-green colour blindness that inherited x-linked disorder, hence it was more distribution in males (hemizygote) but it was less prevalent in females because she had two x chromosomes, she may be affected or a carrier to disorder. We examined 2470 participant (2158 male and 312 female) by using Ishihara plate (24 plates edited). This study conducted to find out the prevalence of colour blindness in Al-Najaf province. In the present study, Among those was screened for colour deficiency, 107 of them(4.33%)were diagnosed with colour blindness, the rate was a difference among gender 105(4.87 %) in male and it was 2(0.64) % in female. The deuteranomaly was the highest type 38(35.51%) then deuteranopia was 31(28.97 %), the protanomaly was 23(21.50%), the protanopia was 10(9.35%), At last, the achromacy was lowest 5(4.67 %) among infected colour blindness. The deutan :protan ratio was 2.03:1. This rate (in our study) was approximately similar to the rate recorded in Al-Qadisiyah University (5.2 % in male and 0.4% in female) and less the rate in the centre and north Iraq (Baghdad, Duhok and Erbil province).

AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF COLOR VISION DEFICIENCY AMONG HEALTH CARE STUDENTS WITH INTERVENTION

Objective: To assess the level of awareness and knowledge of Color Vision Deficiency and to determine problems related to color vision among health care students.
 Methods: This study was done on 278 Health care students in the age group of 18 to 25 y. Structured Pre and Post assessment questionnaires were administrated to all consenting students to determine the prevalence of Color Vision Deficiency and a video is shown to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of Color Vision defects. Color Vision was tested by using Ishihara Color Vision Chart. This study was conducted between November 2021 to January 2022. Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from Saveetha College of Allied Health Sciences.
 Results: A total of 278 subjects participated in this study, 277(99.6%) subjects have a normal level of Color Vision. Around 66.5% of subjects were aware of color vision deficiency in pre-assessment and 100% of subjects were aware in post-assessment, around 99.6% of subjects found no difficulty in choosing colors of clothes, cosmetics, 100% of subjects had no color difficulty in previous and daily work/study activities and among them, one subject (0.35%) could not appreciate color considered as total Color blindness according to the chart used.
 Conclusion: It is concluded from this study that a large group of students attains a normal level of Color Vision. Most of them (66.5%) are aware of Color Vision deficiency in pre-assessment, after providing them with adequate awareness and knowledge increases to 100% in post-assessment.

Association Between Color Vision Deficiency and Myopia in Chinese Children Over a Five-Year Period.

PurposeTo explore the relationship of color vision deficiency with myopia progression and axial elongation in Chinese primary school children during a five-year cohort study.MethodsA total of 2849 grade 1 students (aged 7.1 ± 0.4 years) from 11 primary schools were enrolled and followed up for five years. Cycloplegic autorefraction and axial length were measured annually. Color vision testing was performed using Ishihara's test and the City University color vision test.ResultsThe prevalence of color vision deficiency was 1.68%, with 2.81% in boys and 0.16% in girls. Color-deficient cases consisted of 91.6% deutan and 8.3% protan. Over the five years, the cumulative incidence of myopia was 35.4% (17/48) in the color-vision deficiency group, which was lower than the 56.7% (1017/1794) in the color normal group (P = 0.004). Over the five-year study period, the change in spherical equivalent refraction in the color vision–deficiency group (−1.81 D) was also significantly lower than that in the color normal group (−2.41 D) (P = 0.002).ConclusionsThe lower incidence and slower progression of myopia in children with color-vision deficiency over the five-year follow-up period suggest that color-deficient individuals are less susceptible to myopia onset and development.

Prevalence of color vision deficiency and it’s relation with ABO blood group among medical students

Background: Normal human beings can appreciate color in all three of it’s attributes; Hue, intensity, and saturation. Human beings can perceive three primary colors, that is, red, green, and blue. Any defect in appreciation of colors is known as color vision deficiency (CVD). Complete inability to appreciate color is known as color blindness. The genes for red and green cone pigments are found in the q arm of the X chromosome. Hence, red and green CVD are inherited as X-linked recessive diseases. Blue CVD is autosomaly inherited. Blood groups are genetically inherited as well. Although it is a known fact that there is a preponderance of genetic diseases in subjects belonging to a specific blood group, no such study was available in Western Odisha as per our knowledge. This becomes more relevant as consanguineous marriages are a serious social problem in that part of Odisha. Aim and Objectives: Therefore, the study was undertaken to find out the prevalence of CVD among Medical students in Western Odisha and to find out it’s relation, if any, with ABO blood groups, as these two entities are genetically inherited. Record should be kept for future use, especially for counseling at the time of marriage and if necessary, to choose a subject for further study, where color detection does not play an important part. Materials and Methods: Prior permission was taken from the Institutional Ethics Committee to carry out this study. The study was carried out among the 1st–4th year medical students of V.S.S. Medical College and Hospital (n = 690) from August 2022 to October 2022. Ishihara test plates for color vision and agglutination method for ABO blood grouping were employed to get the prevalence of CVD and to get the percentage of subjects belonging to each blood group among those having CVD. The observations were noted carefully. Results: After careful screening, it was seen that 647 (93.76%) were normal, 42 (6.08%) had CVD, and 1 (0.14%) subject was completely color blind. All those affected were males. Distribution of blood group in CVD subjects showed 7 (16.27%) numbers belonging to blood group A, 22 (51.16%) belonging to blood group B, 1 (2.3%) belonging to blood group AB, and 12 (27.9%) belonging to blood group O. The only color blind student belonged to blood group B (2.3%). Conclusion: As medical students have to deal with colors throughout their career, the study helps the subjects to be aware of their condition early in their professional life. It also tried to find out the percentage distribution into ABO blood groups. A larger population should be included to get more accurate results.

Prevalence of Color Blindness among Secondary School Students in Taif, Saudi Arabia

To investigate the occurrence, causes, and risk factors of color vision deficiency among Taif, Saudi Arabia secondary school students. A cross-sectional study was carried out on secondary schools, during the period from 1 to 31 June 2022. Secondary school students, of Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a personal interview with the students using a predesigned questionnaire covering the needed items. Students d

The prevalence of colour vision deficiency, parent-reported, and child reported difficulties among 10- to 16-year-old school children in the Galle education zone, Sri Lanka

Introduction 
 Colour vision deficiency (CVD) is an X-linked recessive disease. The prevalence of CVD varies from race to race. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of CVD among school children (ages 10-16) in Galle educational zone, Sri Lanka.
 Methods
 A total of 566 students (260 males, 306 females) were examined with Ishihara pseudo-isochromatic colour plates. The parental questionnaire was used to obtain a family history of CVD, the ability of the child to select coloured objects and past medical history. 
 Results
 The overall prevalence of CVD was 1.4% (8 boys) with a prevalence of 3.1% for males. Six Sinhala, one Tamil and one Muslim boy had CVD. All affected children had negative histories of previous systemic and ocular disease or chronic use of medications. The visual acuity and the fundus were normal in all affected children. Seven (1.23%) had deuteranomaly, while one (0.17%) had protanomaly. 75% (06) of the parents were unaware of their child's defect, while 12.5% (01) reported a positive family history. Parental reporting of difficulties in selecting coloured objects in the child's day-to-day activities were not significant (p>0.05 Fisher's exact test). CVD children had reported difficulties in identifying colour objects in television/computer programmes and separation of cooked from uncooked food (p

Prevalence of Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) Taste Sensitivity and Colour Blindness in Tengger Tribe Population, Ranupani Village, Senduro, Lumajang

The taste of sensitivity of phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), is autosomal dominant trait inherited while the colour blindness is a sex linked genetic trait on the X chromosome. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of taster and non taster phenotypes, prevalence of color blindness, frequency of taster and non taster alleles, and frequency of color blind alleles, as well as pedigree analysis in non taster and color blind families. The research was conducted on the Tengger tribe, in Ranupani village, Senduro, Lumajang. Determination of the sample is carryout randomly. Detection of the ability to taste PTC was respondents to taste the PTC solution from the lowest concentration of 0.32mg/L (P13) to the highest concentration of 1300 mg/L (P1). Color blindness detection by the Ishihara method. The results of the study showed that the distribution of the taster was 98.1% while the non-taster was 1.9%. The allele frequency of the dominant taster (T) was 0.86 and the recessive allele non taster (t) is 0.14. The prevalence of color blindness in the population of the Tengger tribe was 0.63% and the allele frequency for color blindness was 0.013. The pedigree analysis of non taster family showed that non taster individuals were born from taster couple (Tt) or from couple of non taster (tt) with tasters (Tt) heterozigot. While the pattern of inheritance of color blindness was criss-cross inheritance pattern, which is passed from mother to son.

Prevalence of Colour Blindness in Nigeria: Nnamdi Azikiwe University Medical

Prevalence of Colour Blindness in Nigeria: Nnamdi Azikiwe University Medical

English

BACKGROUND Colour vision is a function of three types of cone pigments present in the retina. Colour vision deficiency is an important disorder of vision that may pose a handicap to the performance of an affected individual. The prevalence of colour blindness varies in different geographical areas. The identification and estimation of the prevalence of colour vision deficiency in school-going children will help to educate and guide the caregivers to help the children in selecting their profession. This study was done to estimate the prevalence, sex distribution, and types of colour vision deficiency among school-going children of 5 to 15 years. METHODS A cross-sectional observational study was done among 500 students to evaluate the colour vision during the period from 1st January 2018 to 30th June 2019 at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Kolkata. Ishihara’s pseudo isochromatic colour vision chart 38th edition was used to assess the school children for colour vision status. The children who were found to be colour blind were further classified into degree and types of colour vision deficiency. RESULTS A total of 500 students (250 male & 250 female) of surrounding schools, in the age group of 5 years to 15 years, were screened. 480 students (96 %) had normal colour vision while 20 (4 %) students were found to have defective colour vision. Prevalence (4 %) for colour blindness was found to be higher in males (3.6 %) than females (0.4 %). It was observed that out of 20 (4 %) colour-blind subjects 3.6 % were protanopes and 0.4 % were deuteranopes. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows the prevalence of colour blindness found to be quite low (4 %) and more common in males (3.6 %) in comparison to females (0.4 %). Protanomaly (3.6 %) was more common than deuteranomaly (0.4 %). KEYWORDS Colour Blindness, Protanomaly, Deuteranomaly, School Children

Prevalence of Color Blindness Among Medical Students

Aim: To find out the prevalence of color blindness among medical students.
 Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional.
 Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted at Chaudry Mohammad Akram teaching and research hospital, Superior university during December 2020 to May 2021.
 Methodology: All the medical students having age range between 21-25 years were included in the study. An ophthalmologist did ocular examination, after that color vision was checked by putting Ishihara plates. The score less than 12 out of 14 red-green test plates were labelled as color blind. Data was analyzed by using the SPSS version 20. Chi-square was used to find out the association of color blindness with age groups and gender. p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.
 Results: The mean age with standard deviation of study participants was 23.27 ± 0.87 years. The prevalence of color blindness among medical students was 2% out of which 1.7% were having strong red-green deficiency while only 0.3% were with mild red-green deficiency. Majority of participants with color blindness were noted in the age group of 22 years while very few were in the other age groups of medical students but these results were non-significant. On the other hand, all the color blind was male but no association was found as the p-value was more than 0.05.
 Conclusion: Current study reported that about 2% of medical students are affected by color vision deficiency. So there is a need of proper visual screening program among medical undergraduates for early detection of color blindness and counselling session for them.

Prevalence of inherited color vision deficiency among male school teenagers in Nablus, Palestine

AIM: To find out the prevalence of inherited color vision deficiency (CVD) among Palestinian male-school children aged 14-18 and compare it with other eastern and western countries. METHODS: Six hundred and thirty-four male subjects (n=634) aged 14-18 from Palestinian Governorate of Nablus were randomly selected and screened using Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates. Subjects who failed Ishihara screening were tested further with computer software of Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue test. RESULTS: Out of the 634 male participants, 597 were included in the study and 8.0% of them (48 males) demonstrated red-green CVD. 5.4%, 2.3% and 0.3% of the 48 males exhibited deutan, protan and total color vision deficiency (monochromacy), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results show that the prevalence of red-green CVD among the male school children from Palestinian Governorate of Nablus is not significantly different from that of male populations in nearby and Western countries.

Prevalence of colour vision deficiency in the Republic of Ireland schoolchildren and associated socio-demographic factors

ABSTRACT Clinical relevance Early screening is essential to counsel schoolchildren with congenital colour vision deficiency (CVD) in determining their future career path and to advise teachers of the impact of CVD on classroom difficulties. Background Congenital CVD is an X‐linked genetic abnormality relatively commonplace in humans. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of congenital CVD in the Republic of Ireland schoolchildren and associated socio‐demographic factors. Methods A total of 1,626 schoolchildren (882 boys and 744 girls), in two age groups (728 aged 6–7-years and 898 aged 12–13-years) were examined from randomly selected schools. Colour vision testing was carried out using the Richmond Hardy‐Rand‐Rittler pseudoisochromatic test for colour vision (fourth edition); diagnostic plates were used to determine CVD type and extent if participants failed to identify symbols on the screening plates. Results CVD was detected in 73 boys (8.3 per cent, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.6–10.3) and in 13 girls (1.8 per cent, 95% CI 1.0–3.1, p < 0.001). As expected, deutan (boys 4.8 per cent, girls 0.8 per cent) was the most common type of CVD, followed by protan (boys 1.7 per cent, girls 0.1 per cent), unclassified red/green CVD (boys 1.2 per cent, girls 0.8 per cent) and then tritan (boys 0.5 per cent). One case of achromatopsia was detected based on failure on all diagnostic plates. Traveller participants (boys 21.0 per cent, girls 8.6 per cent) had a higher CVD prevalence than their White non‐Traveller (boys 7.2 per cent, girls 1.0 per cent) and non‐White (boys 5.4 per cent, girls 1.1 per cent) counterparts (odds ratio 3.00, 95% CI 1.1–8.1, p = 0.006). In boys, CVD was also associated with twin birth (odds ratio 2.7, 95% CI 1.1–6.7, p = 0.03) and low birthweight (p = 0.04). Conclusion This investigation of CVD in the Republic of Ireland schoolchildren should alert clinicians to the association between CVD and Traveller ethnicity, twin birth and lower birthweight. The prevalence of CVD found was similar to previous studies involving predominantly White populations and higher among Traveller participants; hence, counselling regarding inherited anomalies in the Traveller community is recommended. Early screening is essential to counsel schoolchildren with CVD in determining their future career path and to advise teachers of the impact of CVD on classroom difficulties.

Prevalence of color vision deficiency in medical students at a Saudi University.

BACKGROUND:Color vision deficiency (CVD) affects approximately one in 12 men and one in 200 women in the world. It is considered a problem in the medical field since the color is often used as a sign in the practice of medicine, in observational assessment, diagnosis, and follow-up. These conditions make the appreciation of color essential in doctors’ lives, thus we aimed at finding the prevalence and predictors of CVD in medical students.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This cross-sectional study included 1115 medical students. A pretested questionnaire consisting of personal data, history of vision problems, familial color vision defect, eye surgery, bad trauma on the head or eyes, drugs taken or chemicals exposed to, other health problems, and whether sufficient amount of Vitamin A is taken was used. This was followed by the screening of the participants for CVD using the Ishihara 15-plates test.RESULTS:A total of 1115 students participated in the study; 52.2% were females and the mean age of the participants was 21.7 years (±1.4). The prevalence of definitive CVD was found to be 2.1%; all of which comprised males. Eighty-seven percent of the affected participants were not aware of their color vision problem. A highly statistically significant association was found between history of vision problems and CVD status (P < 0.008). No association were found for nationality, marital status, family history of CVD, history of eye surgery, and eye trauma.CONCLUSION:The percentage of CVD in the present study is lower than that reported by previous studies done in other countries. Many medical students with CVD remain unaware of their condition. Therefore, we recommend early screening of all school-age children, and proper counseling of medical students with definite CVD to take care of their own health and wellbeing.