EARLY DETECTION OF INBORN DYSCHROMATOPSIAS IN PRESCHOOLERS AND YOUNG SCHOOLCHILDREN

Color vision is one of the most important factors of human vision. Ear ly detection of color vision malfunction in children is of utmost impo rtance, allowing parents and teachers to take appropriate and timely m easures for children's future professional orientation. A cohort of 30 0 children aged 4-6 years (49-86 months) were examined by color vision testing and divided into three age groups of 4-5, 5-6 and >6 years. T heir ability to name the fundamental spectral colors and read Ishihara 's pseudoisochromatic plates was recorded. The results obtained are pr esented in tables and figures. Data analysis showed the youngest group of children to be unsuitable for such testing of color vision. Numeri cal data revealed considerable percentage deviations as compared to th e older groups. In addition, a great difference between the girls and boys indicated psychomotor development to be much faster in girls of t hat age. Generally, data obtained by the distribution of the results f or the two older age groups were consistent with those found in the li terature; thus, the authors propose an early examination for the detec tion of inborn chromatopsia to be performed in preschool children, but not before the age of five. Ishihara's pseudoisochromatic test can be useful in differentiating between dyschromatic and other children, bu t it is very difficult to implement for singling out dyschromates acco rding to the protan or deutan type.