Color vision in civil aviation

Abstract

Color vision deficiency (CVD) is a condition that results in individuals being unable to distinguish differences between certain colors. Occupational color vision standards were introduced in aviation in 1919 by The Aeronautical Commission of the International Civil Air Navigation Authority. Concern has been expressed during the last few years that the current color vision standards in aviation may be too stringent and, at the same time, also variable across the world. The tests employed do not always reflect the tasks pilots encounter in today’s aviation environment. This ambiguity leads to the possible exclusion of deserving applicants for selection as aircrew. The compatibility of CVD with aircraft crew is assessed by medical personnel using clinical diagnosis tests on the ground level. These clinical tests were developed specifically to detect the presence, nature, and severity of CVD. No clinical tests yet provide a measure of operational performance in operating an aircraft. Arbitrary pass marks have been assigned to clinical tests such that a failing candidate will either be subject to operational restrictions or excluded completely. The prescribed clinical tests and associated pass marks vary considerably between regulators. While an individual may be subject to no restrictions in one jurisdiction, they may be excluded in another. This article highlights newer diagnostic techniques adopted by different countries for assessing color vision to see for the scope of evidence-based guidelines for minimum color vision requirements for flight crew as well as for civil aviation in India.

Evaluation of colour vision impairment during acute hypobaric hypoxia in aviation medicine: a randomized controlled trial

“…Both private and professional pilots are required to undergo colour vision testing in advance of their initial certification as well as periodically in the course of their flight activity. Due to the general wording for colour vision standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) respective requirements for certification and the applied colour vision tests differ significantly between countries or certification authorities [ 28 , 29 ]. Colour vision tests can be classified in different ways according to their differential-diagnostic abilities or the way colours are presented to the observer.…”

Fitness to work assessment for oil palm fruits harvest workers diagnosed with color blindness using color blind test media based on the color of oil palm fruit

“…In some countries, a person with color blindness is prohibited from possessing a driver's license due to their inability to discriminate between the colors of traffic signals. [ 1 2 ] Another example is a pilot whose profession demands color perception in multiple capacities. [ 3 ] Approximately, eight percent of males and females worldwide are color blind.…”