By Rob Kittinger, PH.D.
Many jobs involve successfully completing critical job tasks where the employee is required to have the ability to use trichromat color vision (normal vision). Individuals with normal vision are often at an advantage in these roles. However, employees with color vision deficiency (CVD) may experience challenges, including reduced accuracy, slower task completion, or even an inability to perform certain tasks.
Aviation security baggage screeners, for example, use x-ray and CT machines to screen bags for explosives. The synthetic images generated by these machines display a spectrum of colors with specific meaning given to each color, usually related to the density and material composition of the material. Notably, explosives typically appear in shades of orange or green—colors that are frequently confused by individuals with red-green CVD (both Protans and Deutans).
Figure 1 – X-ray and CT images of explosives are often orange or Green
Figure 2 – Normal Vision vs Simulated CVD (Protan and Detuan)
NOTE: Orange and green areas in the normal image (left) are confused in the simulated Protan (center) and Deutan images (right). Created using https://pilestone.com/.
In some professions, however, a mild CVD may not significantly impact job performance. Recently, the FAA revised its standards following data indicating that pilots with mild color vision deficiency (CVD) can perform job tasks with success rates comparable to their peers with normal vision. This development is encouraging as it permits the inclusion of pilots with mild visual deficiencies, thereby expanding the applicant pool and facilitating the selection of highly qualified individuals based on additional criteria.
At Waggoner Diagnostics, we believe it is more important than ever to understand the degree to which color vision is needed to successfully perform critical job tasks (BFOQs). It is imperative to conduct research to determine which types of CVDs (protan, deutan, tritan) and at what severity (mild, moderate, severe) might hinder an individual’s ability to perform specific job functions. Continuing the example above, when Tritan CVD is simulated to view the baggage x-ray image (Figure 3), we can see that people with Tritan vision do not confuse orange and green colors but see them differently. These individuals are more likely to perform this specific task successfully. This is only meant to illustrate that all CVDs are not equal, and thus research should be done to understand which CVDs affect performance in specific jobs.
Figure 3 – Normal Vision vs Simulated Tritan CVD
NOTE: Orange and green areas in the normal image (left) are NOT confused in the simulated Tritan image (right). Created using https://pilestone.com/.
The Waggoner Computerized Color Vision Test (WCCVT) is validated by the US Navy and accurately diagnoses both the type and severity of color vision deficiencies. This test can be administered through our website (TestingColorVision.com), on a handheld tablet with our app (WCCVT), or integrated into your Learning Management System (LMS). Waggoner Diagnostics regularly provides tests to support color vision research; reach out for details by emailing Support@WaggonerDiagnostics.