A technology assessment report 1 on colour vision screening was abstracted in the Health Technology Assessment Database. Of the approximately 7% of the male population with congenitally impaired colour vision approximately 40% remain unaware of the defect prior to leaving secondary school. The assessment found no impact of colour vision screening on reducing educational or occupational difficulties or motor vehicle crash rates. Those involved in air traffic control, sea search and rescue operations should have normal colour vision. Restrictions on other occupations are assumably unnecessary.
However, there are numerous occupations where the employer requires a certain level of colour vision. Therefore colour vision should be considered in career planning. Measurement with a screening test resulting in an abnormal finding should be completed with a quantitative test because the screening tests are very sensitive in the red-green axis and thus individuals with normal colour vision and with insignificant deviations from normal are detected.
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