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Colour vision at very high altitude
1Cabinet d'Ophtalmologie, Pau, France. Jean.Leid@wanadoo.fr
Color Research and Application
|September 25, 2002
Summary
High-altitude climbing without supplemental oxygen did not impair color vision in five climbers. Tests at 7,000m and 6,500m showed color perception remained practically normal, indicating resilience of vision at extreme altitudes.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Altitude Medicine
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- High-altitude environments pose physiological challenges.
- The effects of extreme altitude on color vision are not fully understood.
- Supplemental oxygen is often used to mitigate altitude-related issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate color vision in mountain climbers at extreme altitudes without supplemental oxygen.
- To assess the impact of high altitude on color perception.
- To determine if significant color vision deficits occur during high-altitude expeditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the desaturated D15 panel test for color vision assessment.
- Conducted evaluations during two Himalayan expeditions (1997 and 1998).
- Tested subjects at altitudes of 7,000m and 6,500m without supplemental oxygen.
Main Results:
- Color perception was assessed in 5 mountain climbers (evaluations on 4 and 6 eyes).
- Results from both expeditions were in agreement.
- Color vision performance was considered practically normal for all tested climbers.
Conclusions:
- High-altitude mountain climbing without supplemental oxygen did not lead to significant color vision impairment in this cohort.
- Color perception appears resilient to the hypoxic conditions encountered at extreme altitudes.
- Further research could explore the long-term effects or variations in response.