The role of small-field tritanopia in two measures of colour vision

The present work extends the findings of previous efforts examining the comparability of current colour-screening tests. Several popular tests are shown to differ greatly in the performance exhibited by colour-normal observers as well as in their differential sensitivity to experimental manipulations of viewing duration and viewing distance. Those tests designed to identify yellow-blue dichromacy are especially sensitive to the manipulation of viewing distance, which is interpreted as reflecting 'small-field tritanopia' and the asymmetry in retinal density of the three cone types. These findings are discussed in terms of factors that influence the comparability of current colour-screening devices and the particular need for close adherence to standardized conditions with such instruments.