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Certain color deficits found to be common with age
In a study to evaluate frequency and type of color vision defects in the aging population, researchers found a prevalence of blue-yellow defects that increased with age.
Schneck and colleagues also evaluated two versions of D-15 tests in their report in Optometry and Vision Science.
Researchers administered the Adams desaturated D-15 test and the Farnsworth D-15 test to 865 participants between 58 and 102 years old, according to the study. The tests were administered under identical conditions.
As detailed in the study, a color confusion score of 30 or higher was considered failing. Researchers assessed the participants who failed with the Vingrys and King-Smith method to determine the type of color defect.
Results showed that 60.8% of the participants passed both tests, with the failure rates for both tests significantly increasing with age. Failure rates for the Adams desaturated D-15 test was 36.2% and 20.8% for the Farnsworth D-15 test.
"Blue-yellow defects were quite common among the aged, becoming increasingly prevalent with increasing age," the authors concluded. "More people failed the Adams desaturated D-15 than the Farnsworth D-15, but among those who failed, the proportion of blue-yellow defects was similar for the two tests, approximately 75%. The agreement between the two tests in identifying acquired red-green and blue-yellow errors was high."
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Optom Vis Sci. 2014;doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000000152.