Illinois Vision Certification Practice Test

Which of the following statements is true regarding color deficiency?

1. It is correctable by training

2. It is curable

3. There is no correlation with night blindness

4. It always affects visual acuity

The correct answer is: There is no correlation with night blindness

Color deficiency, often referred to as color blindness, is primarily a genetic condition that affects the way individuals perceive colors. The statement that is true is that there is no correlation with night blindness. This is because color deficiency relates specifically to the perception of colors under well-lit conditions, while night blindness (nyctalopia) pertains to an individual’s ability to see in low-light or dark environments. Color deficiencies typically stem from abnormalities in the cone cells of the retina, which are responsible for color vision. Being color deficient does not directly impact one’s ability to see at night, as the mechanisms that govern color perception and those that enable vision in low-light conditions are distinct. In contrast, the other statements are not accurate regarding color deficiency. It is not something that can be corrected or cured through training; rather, individuals learn to adapt to their color vision differences. Furthermore, color deficiency does not inherently affect visual acuity; many individuals with color deficiency have normal visual acuity.