Proposed protocol for a multi-centre study to compare clinical and trade tests of colour vision in firefighters

Fire-brigade recruits in the UK have their colour vision screened using the Ishihara test. This is unsatisfactory because it rejects subjects with minor deficiencies in colour vision and does not test for blue defects. The Home Office is currently reviewing its recommendations on visual standards. This paper summarizes defects in colour vision, discusses alternative clinical and trade tests for the fire-brigade, and proposes a multi-centre study to collect data on the performance of fire-brigade recruits in clinical and trade tests.