Colour vision deficiency and driving: impact on safety, performance and everyday challenges

Annapoorani C. T.; Janani Suresh; Rashima Asokan

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263619

Authors

Annapoorani C. T. Elite School of Optometry, Sankara Nethralaya, Medical Research Foundation, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
Janani Suresh Elite School of Optometry, Sankara Nethralaya, Medical Research Foundation, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5651-9926
Rashima Asokan Occupational Optometry Services, Sankara Nethralaya, Medical Research Foundation, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263619

Keywords:

Colour vision deficiency, Deutan, Driving performance, Protan, Traffic signal perception

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to assess the impact of colour vision deficiency (CVD) on driving performance, challenges and related factors among licensed male drivers.

Methods: This prospective observational study recruited drivers with normal and colour vision deficiency. Initial screening used the Ishihara plates, followed by AO-HRR plates to confirm the type of congenital CVD, and the Farnsworth Lantern signal test to assess signal perception. Drivers with best-corrected visual acuity less than 6/12 or acquired CVD were excluded. Detailed eye examinations and occupational/driving histories were also collected.

Results: The study included 63 male drivers: 30 with normal colour vision (mean age 41.1±6.6 years) and 33 with congenital CVD (mean age 38.7±8.9 years). Drivers with CVD were eight times more likely to experience difficulties compared to the normal vision group (OR: 7.80, 95% CI: 2.22-27.39, p=0.001), and nearly five time more likely to report difficulties under adverse conditions such as rain, fog, bright sunlight, (OR: 4.79, 95% CI: 1.36-16.87, p=0.015). No statistically significant association was found between CVD and road traffic accidents (RTA) in current study (p=0.07). However, CVD did affect the driving performance and self-reported difficulties.

Conclusions: No statistically significant association was found between CVD and RTA in current study; however, it significantly affects driving performance, with protans experiencing delayed signal recognition and deutans experiencing more colour confusions, especially under adverse weather conditions when secondary cues were absent.

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