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Color vision deficiency is the inability to be able to tell the difference between certain shades of color or in more severe cases to be able to see colors at all. This is also known as “color blindness.” Most individuals with color deficiency can see colors, but they have difficulty telling the difference between shades of reds and greens or less commonly blues and yellows.

Color vision deficiency can vary from mild to severe depending on its cause. One’s color vision depends on receptors in the retina of the eye known as cones. The cones have light-sensitive pigments that allow individuals to recognize color. These photoreceptors are located in the macula portion of the retina, which is the central portion of the retina. Each particular cone is sensitive to either red, green, blue, or yellow light. If the cones lack one or more of these light-sensitive pigments, one may be unable to see one or more of the primary colors.

The medical aviation regulations state that an airman must be able to see aviation colors (red, green, and white). There are a variety of color vision tests that your aviation medical examiner can use to test your color vision for your FAA examination. The most common one is called the Isochromatic Plates, which is that book that has the different color circles with the numbers embedded in them.

After an accident in July 2002 in which a Boeing 727 landed short of the runway, the NTSB investigation concluded it was because of the color deficiency of the pilot and required the FAA to change the test for color vision. There was a great explanation of this accident in AOPA Pilot magazine by Bruce Landsberg: “Safety Pilot Landmark Accidents: Into the Abyss,” September 2007.

As a result of this accident the FAA came up with new policies on color vision testing, attempting to “catch” more of the color-vision-deficient airmen.

To find out more about these FAA requirements, visit the website (www.aopa.org/members/pic/medical/certification/vision/color.html).

For more expert advice and professional assistance with protecting your pilot and medical certificates all year round, visit AOPA Pilot Protection Services (www.aopa.org/pps).

Dr. Warren Silberman is the former manager of FAA Aerospace Medical Certification and a doctor of osteopathic medicine. A pilot since 1986, he is recognized nationally as an expert in aerospace/preventative medicine.