Color vision deficiencies in the course of acute alcohol withdrawal

Thirty-six male patients with a diagnosis of chronic alcoholism were detoxified and color vision tests were performed on day 4, 11, and 32 of their abstinence on an inpatient basis (Ishihara color plates, Nagel anomaloscope, three color-matching tests according to Farnsworth). Of the 36 patients, 47.2% manifested color vision deficiencies. The frequency of congenital red/green defects (11.1%) and a ratio of 3:1 deutan/protan defects showed no significant difference from the incidence in the normal population. In 36.1%, manifest acquired color vision deficiencies were diagnosed. Within the course of withdrawal, a marked improvement of these disturbances could be proved. The degree of the disturbance seems to correlate with the severity of withdrawal symptoms, but seems to be unrelated to acute toxic effects of alcohol, nicotine, or medication.