Effect of Multi-notch filter on Color Arrangement Test Performance in Color Normal and Color Deficient Humans

摘要

Color mis-identification can impair safety and job performance. Optical filters can help color deficients discriminate colors within a scene. A "multi-notch" filter (EF) is available that increases separation between medium and long wavelength spectral sensitivity curves to improve color perception by anomalous trichromats. Our purpose was to investigate changes in color perception induced by the EF in color normal (CN) and color deficient (CD) humans. Farnsworth 100 hue test was performed on one eye of 50 CNs and 12 CDs with the EF and with a neutral density (ND) filter of similar total transmission. Total error scores and error scores for each of four distinguished boxes of color chips were calculated. Correlated samples t-test was used to compare error scores for both filter conditions. For CNs, a difference in mean error score was significant for Box 22-42 (p 0.0001) and for Box 43-63 (p = 0.0002), with mean error score higher with EF. For CDs, a difference in mean error score was significant for Box 22-42 (p = 0.006), with mean score higher with EF; a difference in mean error score was also significant for Box 43-63 (p = .004), with mean score higher with ND. Total mean error score for CNs was higher with the EF (14.63) vs. ND (11.65) (p = .0001). Total mean score for CDs was not significantly different between EF (49.6) vs. ND (46.9) (p = 0.5). The EF significantly lowered mean error score for Box 43-63, but significantly elevated mean error score for Box 22-42 in our CDs. Total error score for CDs was not significantly altered compared to ND. These filters may be useful for improving color discrimination in a segment of the spectrum, but do not create more normal overall color perception as measured by the Farnsworth 100 hue test.