Which test is used to screen for color blindness in a 7-year-old child?

• A. Ishihara chart
• B. Snellen chart
• C. Amsler grid
• D. Rinne test

Answer: (A)

Color vision screening in children is done with plates that test color discrimination rather than visual sharpness. The Ishihara chart uses a series of colored-dot plates designed so that people with normal color vision see a specific number or shape, while those with color deficiencies see something different or cannot identify it at all. This makes it a quick, reliable way to detect red-green color vision deficiencies in young children, including seven-year-olds, without needing advanced equipment.

The other tests have different purposes and don’t assess color perception. The Snellen chart measures how well a child can see detail at a distance—visual acuity—rather than colors. The Amsler grid checks for distortions in central vision, often relating to macular problems, not color discrimination. The Rinne test evaluates hearing with a tuning fork, not vision at all. Therefore, the Ishihara chart is the appropriate screen for color blindness.