A novel color vision test for detection of diabetic macular edema.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the sensitivity of the Seoul National University (SNU) computerized color vision test for detecting diabetic macular edema.


METHODS
From May to September 2003, a total of 73 eyes of 73 patients with diabetes mellitus were examined using the SNU computerized color vision test and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Color deficiency was quantified as the total error score on the SNU test and as error scores for each of four color quadrants corresponding to yellows (Q1), greens (Q2), blues (Q3), and reds (Q4). SNU error scores were assessed as a function of OCT foveal thickness and total macular volume (TMV).


RESULTS
The error scores in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 measured by the SNU color vision test increased with foveal thickness (P < 0.05), whereas they were not correlated with TMV. Total error scores, the summation of Q1 and Q3, the summation of Q2 and Q4, and blue-yellow (B-Y) error scores were significantly correlated with foveal thickness (P < 0.05), but not with TMV.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed correlation between SNU color test error scores and foveal thickness indicates that the SNU test may be useful for detection and monitoring of diabetic macular edema.
Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Young Joo
YJ
Shin
Kyu Hyung
KH
Park
Jeong-Min
JM
Hwang
Won Ryang
WR
Wee
Jin Hak
JH
Lee
In Bum
IB
Lee
Joon Young
JY
Hyon
D055253:Color Vision; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000379:methods*
color vision; diabetic macular edema; foveal thickness; optical coherence tomography