Assessment of visual function and the neuroretina in subjects diagnosed with congenital anomaly of color vision

Abstract

This cross-sectional and observational study includes 50 eyes of subjects with color blindness and 50 eyes of control subjects. Visual function (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and color vision) and neuroretinal structure were assessed in all subjects using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Significant thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, and retina were observed in the color blindness group. Significant thinning was also recorded in layers that involve photoreceptor nuclei (between the outer limiting layer and the Bruch membrane and between the outer plexiform layer and the outer limiting membrane). OCT evaluation based on retinal segmentation is a rapid (5–10 minutes) non-invasive technique and seems to be a good biomarker of color blindness.