P 444 Iris pigmentation and normal contrast sensitivity

m In the detection of color vision deficiencies, the focus is not only on the disturbed color axis, but also on the degree of disturbed color vision. Therefore, in order to find out the normal sum of errors, we evaluated this color test in a normal population. Methods: 95 subjects (m:f=71:24) without any ocular or general chronic disease were tested monocularly with tie desaturated Roth 26 HUE color test (Luneau, Paris) under standard conditions. The background was a black cardboard, the illumination consisted of two fluorescent lamps (Osram Li 6W/ll, Germany) with 6000 Kelvin. The subjects were divided into 4 different age groups: O-19, 20-39, 40-59 and 60-79. The quantitative analysis was done using a specially developed software (M.A.) on an IBM compatible computer. Results: In the ophthalmic examination, no functional or morphological abnormalities werefound. In general, the mean sum of errors was 66 * 35 (Minimum 0, Maximum 174; Median 60). There were no differences between the right or left eye (p=O,6, MannWhitney test), nor between male and female (p=O,64, Mann-Whitney test). No correlation was found between age and sum of errors (regression coefficient=0,027; p=O,94). Conclusion: Based on these data, the desaturated Roth 26 HUE test seems to be a color test with a stable sum of errors over the age. Therefore, this test can now be used in the follow-up of color disturbances, caused for example by chronic drug application or by chronic diseases. In addition, this test is quicker than the Farnsworth Munsell 100 HUE test and therefore less dependent of the patient’s vigilance. P447