A Review of the Farnsworth Munsell Type Colour Vision Test

Anne Fitzgerald, DipAppSc (Cumb), DOBA, MPH(Syd)

This paper outlines the use of the Farnsworth Munsell (FM) type tests. It discusses the FM 100 hue, the FM D-15, the City University, the Lanthony Desaturated D-15, the Roth 28 hue and the Farnsworth F2 Tritanopic Plate tests. With the exception of the 100 Hue test these tests cannot be used in isolation to screen for congenital or acquired colour vision loss.
If a patient is found to have congenital colour blindness (i.e. congenital anomalous trichromatic colour vision) the Farnsworth tests can be used to give a qualitative assessment of the defect. The FM 100 Hue test is the only one to give a quantitative assessment of the defect. (The 100 Hue can also be used as an isolated screening test although it is an extremely time consuming procedure). For suspected acquired defect the Roth 28 test can be used as a starting point but it should always be followed by a 100 Hue test as it is very important to quantify the defect to monitor any progress.
The paper suggests appropriate clinical investigation protocols for screening and evaluating colour vision deficiencies.