[Qualitative and quantitative diagnostic possibilities of papillary colorimetry]

Papillary colorimetry is a qualitative and quantitative diagnostic method that defines the displacement of the temporal and nasal color ranges on the x;y plane of the German Industrial Standard (DIN) color chart. Starting with normal temporal and nasal papillary stain values, there are, for qualitative diagnosis, four different directions in which the color range can shift from normal values on the DIN color chart, i.e., in connection with simple optic atrophies, optic atrophies due to vascular conditions, hyperemic papillae, and deviations of the color range under vasodilative therapy. Quantitative examinations of optic atrophy using papillary colorimetry have so far been conducted (1) with simple descending atrophies, (2) following anemic papillary infarct, and (3), rudimentarily, in cases of glaucomatous optic nerve head. The best correlation between papillary atrophy and loss of visual function was found with simple optic atrophy. Hence this last-mentioned condition represents the principal area of application of papillary colorimetry as an examination method.