Colour vision at very high altitude.

The goal of our study was to evaluate colour vision during high-altitude mountain climbing without supplemental oxygen. Two Himalayan expeditions were invited to test their colour perception at both the highest possible altitude and on the largest possible number of subjects. The panel desaturated D15 was used, because only a simple test could be transported to those altitudes. There were 2 evaluations (i.e., 4 eyes) at 7,000 m during the first expedition in 1997, and 3 evaluations (i.e., 6 eyes) at 6,500 m during the second expedition in 1998. The results were in perfect agreement and can be considered practically normal for all 5 mountain climbers.