Aeromedical implications of the X-Chrom lens for improving color vision deficiencies.

A red contact lens (X-Chrom lens) worn on the nondominant eye by 12 color-defective subjects caused significant improvements on the Dvorine, Ishihara, and Hardy-Rand-Rittler pseudo-isochromatic color plate tests. Color vision scores on the Farnsworth Lantern, Color Threshold Tester, and Aviation Signal Light Gun were not improved. Minimal changes were found on the Farnsworth D-15 test, aeronautical chart color identification task, visual acuity, phoria, and stereoscopic depth perception. Control and color-defective subjects perceived a change in the path of a pendulum (Pulfrich test) when viewing through the X-Chrom lens or a monocular red filter. The X-Chrom lens may require extended wearing before its optimum effect becomes apparent.