Ishihara Instructions

The Series of Plates Designed as a

Test for Color Deficiency SHINOBU ISHIHARA
M.D., Dr.Med Sc
Professor Emeritus of the
University of Tokyo Member of the
Japan Academy
38 Plates Edition KANEHARA TRADING INC.
TOKYO JAPAN
Introduction
This series of plates is designed to provide a test, which gives a quick and accurate assessment
of color vision deficiency of congenital origin. This is the commonest form of color vision
disturbances.

Most cases of congenital color vision deficiency are characterized by a red-green deficiency
which may be of two types; first, a protan type which may be complete (protanopia) or partial
(protanomalia), and, second, a deutan type which may be complete (deuteranopia) or partial
(duteranomalia).

In protanopia the visible range of the spectrum is shorter at the end compared with that of the
normal, and that part of the spectrum, which appears to the normal as blue-green, appears to
those with protanopia as grey. The whole visible range of the spectrum in protanopia consists of
two areas, which are separated from each other by this grey part. Each area appears to those
with protanopia as one system of color with different brightness and saturation within each
area, the color in one area being different from that of the other. The red with a slight tinge of
purple, which is the complementary color of blue-green, appears also as grey.

In deuteranopia, this zone into two areas, each of which appears to be of one system of color,
divides that part of the spectrum, which appears to the normal as green, appears as grey, and the
visible range of the spectrum. The visible range of the spectrum is not contracted, in contrast to
protanopia. Purple- red, which is the complementary color of green, appears also as grey.

In protanomalia and deuteranomalia, there is not part of the spectrum, which appears grey. But
the part of spectrum which appears to those with protanopia as grey, appears to those with
protanomalia as a grayish indistinct color, and likewise, the grey part of the spectrum seen by
the person with deuteranopia appears to those with deuteranomalia as a indistinct color close to
grey.

Consequently, one of the peculiarities of red-green deficiencies is that blue and yellow colors
appear to be remarkably clear compared with red and green colors. The application of this
peculiarity to the test for color vision deficiencies is the distinguishing feature of this series.

In the congenital color vision deficiencies, although very rare, there is total color weakness. The
color sensitivity of the total color weakness to red and green, as well as to yellow and blue is very
low and only the clear colors can be perceived; but, except for the color sensitivity, there is no

abnormality in the visual functions. The plates in this book form an easy method of establishing
the diagnosis on such cases and in distinguishing them from cases of red-green deficiencies.

There is also a very rare group of persons who suffer from total color blindness and show a
complete failure to discriminate any color variations, usually with an associated impairment
of central vision with photophobia and nystagmus.

Furthermore, a failure in the appreciation of blue and yellow may be termed tyritanomalia if
partial, and tritanopia if complete, but, even if such cases do exist, they are extremely rare. The
plates in this book are not designed for the diagnosis of such cases.

How to use the test
The plates are designed to be appreciated correctly in a room, which is lit adequately by
daylight. The introduction of direct sunlight or the use of electric light may produce some
discrepancy in the results because of an alteration in the appearance of shades of color.
When it is convenient only to use electric light, it should be adjusted as far as possible to
resemble the effect of natural daylight. The plates are held 75 cm. from the subject and
tilted so that the plane of the paper is at right angles to the line of vision.

The correct position of each plate is indicated by the number, which is printed on the back
of the plate. The numerals, which are seen on plates 1-17, are stated, and each answer
should be given without more than three seconds delay. If the subject is unable to read
numerals, plates 18-24 are used and the winding lines between the two Xs are traced with
the brush. Each tracing should be completed within ten seconds.

It is not necessary in all cases to use the whole series of plates. Plates 22, 23, 24 and 25 may
be omitted if the test is designed merely to separate the color defectives from those with
normal color appreciation. In a large scale examination the test may be simplified to an
examination of six plates only; No 1, one of the Nos 2, 3,4,5 one of Nos, 6, 7, 8, 9, one of Nos
10, 11, 12. 13 and one of Nos 14, 15, 16,17, one of Nos. 18, 19, 20, 21.

It may be necessary to vary the order of the plates if it is suspected that there is a
deliberate decetion on the part of the subject.


Explanation of the Plates

This series of plates is made up of the following 38 plates.
No. 1, Both the normal and those with all sort of colour vision deficiencies read it as 12.
No. 2~5, The normal read them as 8 (No. 2), 6 (No.3), 29 (No.4) and 57 (No.5). Those with red-
green deficiencies read them as 3 (No.2), 5 (No.3), 70(No.4) and 35 (No.5). Those with total
colour blindness and weakness are not able to read any numeral.
No. 6~9. The normal read them as 5 (No.6), 3 (No.7), 15 (No.8) and 74 (No.9). Those with red-
green deficiencies read them as 2 (No.6), 5 (No.7), 17 (No.8) and 21 (No.9). Those with total
colour blindness and weakness are not able to read any numeral.

No. 10-13. The normal read them as 2 (No.10), 6 (No.11), 97 (No.12) and 45 (No.13). The
majority of those with colour vision deficiencies are not able to read them or read them
incorrectly.
No. 14-17, The Normal read them as 5 (No.14). 7 (No.15), 16 (No.16) and 73 (No. 17). The
majority of those with colour vision deficiencies are not able to read them or read them
incorrectly.
No. 18-21, The majority of those with red-green deficiencies read them a 5 (No. 18), 2 (No.19),
45 (No.20), and 73 (No. 21). The majority of the normal and those with total colour blindness
and weakness are not able to read any numeral.
No. 22-25, The Normal read them as 26 (No.22). 42 (No.23), 35 (No.24) and 96 (No. 25). In
protanopia and strong protanomalia only 6(No. 22) are read, and in case of mild protanomalia
both numerals on each plate are read but the 6 (No. 22), 2 (No. 23), 5(No. 24) and 6( No. 25) are
clearer than the other numerals. In deuteranopia and strong deuteranomalia only 2 (No. 22). 4
(No.23), 3(No. 24) and 9 (No. 25) are read, and in case of mild deuteranomalia both numerals
on each plate are read but the 2 (No. 22), 4 (No. 23), 3 (No. 24) and 9 (No. 25) are clearer than
the other numerals.
No. 26 and 27. In tracing the winding lines between the two Xs , the normal trace along the
purple and red nlines. In protanopia and strong protanomalia only the purple line is traced , and
in case of mild protanomalia both lines are traced but the purple line is easier to follow. In
deuteranopia and strong deuteranomalia only the red line is traced, and in case of mild
deuteranomalia both lines are traced but the red line is easier to follow.
No. 28 and 29. In tracing the winding lines between the two Xs, the majority of those with red-
green deficiencies trace along the line, but the majoirity of the normal and those with total
colour blindness and weakness are unable to follow the line.
No. 30 and 31. In tracing the winding lines between the two Xs, the normal trace the bluish-
green line, but the majority of those with colour vision deficiencies are unable to follow the line
or follow a line different from the normal one.
No. 32 and 33. In tracing the winding lines between the two Xs, the normal trace the orange
line, but the majority of those with colour vision deficiencies are unable to follow the line or
follow a line different from the normal one.
No. 34 and 35. In tracing the winding lines between the two Xs, the normal trace the line
connecting the bluish-green and yellowish-green, those with red-green deficiencies trace the
line connecting the bluish-green and prple, and those with total colour blindness and weakness
are not able to trace the line.
No. 36 and 37. In tracing the winding lines between the two Xs, the normal trace the line
connecting the purple and orange, those with red-green deficiencies trace the line connecting
the purple and bluish-green, and those with total colour blindness and weakness are not able to
trace the line.
No. 38. In tracing the winding lines between the two Xs, both the normal and those with
colour vision deficiencies are able to trace the line.

The typical readings of the normal person and the person with color vision deficiencies on
plates 1 to 25 are listed on the last page.

Analysis of the results

As assessment of the readings of plates 1 to 21 determines the normality or defectiveness of color
vision. If 17 or more plates are read normally, the color vision is regarded as normal. If only 13 or
less than 13 plates are read normally, the color vision is regarded as deficient. However, in
reference to plates 18,19,20 and 21, only those who read the numerals 5, 2, 45 and 73 and read
them easier than those on plates 14, 10, 13, and 17 are recorded as abnormal readings.
It is rare to find a person whose recording of normal answers is between 14-16 plates. An
assessment of such a case requires the use of other color vision tests, including the
anomaloscope.
In the assessment of color appreciation by the short method involving 6 plates only as described
on page 4, a normal recording of all plates is proof or normal color vision. If there is a
discrepancy in any of the recordings, the full series of plates should be used before diagnosing a
red-green deficiency.
Care of the plate
It is important that the book of test plates should be kept closed, except during use, because
undue exposure to sunlight causes a fading of the color of the plates.

Answers to each plate

Plate

Normal
Person

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

12
8
6
29
57
5
3
15
74
2
6
97
45

Person with Total

Person with Red-Green Color Blindness
and Weakness
Deficiencies
12
3
5
70
35
2
5
21
X
X
X
X
X

12
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

5
7
16
73
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
5
2
45
73

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

Protan Deutan
Stron
g
22
23
24
25

26
42
35
96

6
2
5
6

Stron
Mild g

Mild

(2) 6
(4) 2
(3) 5
(9) 6

2 (6)
4 (2)
3 (5)
9 (6)

2
4
3
9

The mark X shows that the plate cannot be read. Blank spce denotes that
the reading is indefinite. The numerals in parenthesis show that they can
be read but they are comparatively unclear.

ISHIHARA COLOUR PLATES 38 SET

Plate 1
Everyone should see number 12.

Plate 2
Normal view: 8
Red-green deficiency: 3

Plate 3
Normal view: 6
Red-green deficiency: 5

Plate 4
Normal view: 29
Red-green deficiency: 70

Plate 5
Normal view: 57
Red-green deficiency: 35

Plate 6
Normal view: 5
Red-green deficiency: 2

Plate 7
Normal view: 3
Red-green deficiency: 5

Plate 8
Normal view: 15
Red-green deficiency: 17

Plate 9
Normal view: 74
Red-green deficiency: 21

Plate 10
Normal view: 2
Red-green deficiency: most people dont see anything or
see something wrong.

Plate 11
Normal view: 6
Red-green deficiency: most people dont see anything or
see something wrong.

Plate 12
Normal view: 97
Red-green deficiency: most people dont see anything or
see something wrong.

Plate 13
Normal view: 45
Red-green deficiency: most people dont see anything or
see something wrong.

Plate 14
Normal view: 5
Red-green deficiency: most people dont see anything or
see something wrong.

Plate 15
Normal view: 7
Red-green deficiency: most people dont see anything or
see something wrong..

Plate 16
Normal view: 16
Red-green deficiency: most people dont see anything or
see something wrong.

Plate 17
Normal view: 73
Red-green deficiency: most people dont see anything or
see something wrong.

Plate 18
Normal view: nothing
Red-green deficiency: 5

Plate 19
Normal view: nothing
Red-green deficiency: 2

Plate 20
Normal view: nothing
Red-green deficiency: 45

Plate 21
Normal view: nothing
Red-green deficiency: 73

Plate 22
Normal view: 26
Protanopia or protanomaly: 6
Deuteranopia or deuteranomaly: 2

Plate 23
Normal view: 42
Protanopia or protanomaly: 2
Deuteranopia or deuteranomaly: 4

Plate 24
Normal view: 35
Protanopia or protanomaly: 5
Deuteranopia or deuteranomaly: 3

Plate 25
Normal view: 96
Protanopia or protanomaly: 6
Deuteranopia or deuteranomaly: 9

Plate 26
Normal view: purple and red spots
Protanopia or protanomaly: only the purple line
Deuteranopia or deuteranomaly: only the red line

Plate 27
Normal view: purple and red spots
Protanopia or protanomaly: only the purple line
Deuteranopia or deuteranomaly: only the red line

Plate 28
Normal view: nothing
Red-green deficiency: a line

Plate 29
Normal view: nothing
Red-green deficiency: a line

Plate 30
Normal view: blue-green line
Red-green deficiency: nothing

10

Plate 31
Normal view: blue-green line
Red-green deficiency: nothing

Plate 32
Normal view: orange line
Red-green deficiency: nothing or a false line

Plate 33
Normal view: orange line
Red-green deficiency: nothing or a false line

11

Plate 34
Normal view: blue-green and yellow-green line
Red-green deficiency: only red-green and violet line

Plate 35
Normal view: blue-green and yellow-green line
Red-green deficiency: only blue-green and violet line

Plate 36
Normal view: violet and orange line
Red green deficiency: blue-green and violet line

12

Plate 37
Normal view: violet and orange line
Red green deficiency: blue-green and violet line

Plana 38
Everyone should see the same line

13