What do color vision defectives say about everyday tasks?

Abstract

A lengthy questionnaire was administered to 102 people with defective color vision and to an equal number of people with normal color vision. The questionnaire asked about the subjects' awareness of their defect and their knowledge of defective color vision as well as exploring the difficulties they experience with color at work and in pursuing leisure activities. The questionnaire was administered in the consulting room under conditions that might be expected to elicit frank replies. Nearly 90% of dichromats and up to two-thirds of anomalous trichomats reported difficulties with everyday tasks that involve color, nearly one-half of the dichromats and one in five anomalous trichromats reported difficulty with traffic lights, and similar proportions reported color difficulties in their present jobs. Substantial numbers reported that their color vision defect had affected their choice of career and many had been excluded from a chosen occupation. The screening of color vision in schools and provision of appropriate career counselling is urged.