Acquired color vision loss has been associated with exposure to organic solvents in the workplace. However, not all tests of chromatic discrimination loss are designed to detect acquired, as opposed to congenital, loss. The Lanthony D-15 desaturated panel (D-15-d), a simple 15 cap color arrangement test, designed to identify mild acquired dyschromatopsia, can be administered rapidly in the field, under standard conditions. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the D-15-d among 23 solvent-exposed workers of a paint manufacturing plant, by comparing the results obtained with the D-15-d to those obtained with the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue (FM-100), a highly sensitive measure of color vision loss. The D-15-d revealed a significantly higher prevalence of dyschromatopsia among the ten highly exposed workers (80%) as compared to the 13 moderately exposed workers (30.8%); FM-100 results revealed one false positive. All dyschromatopic workers presented blue-yellow loss; the FM-100 detected eight complex patterns, while the D-15-d identified 5. Comparison of D-15-d and FM-100 scores were highly correlated (corr. coeff. 0.87; p less than 0.001). Multiple regression analyses showed both scores to be significantly related to age and exposure level. The findings of this study indicate that the D-15-d is an adequate instrument for field study batteries. However, the FM-100 should be used for more detailed assessment.

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Previous studies have related colour vision loss to solvent exposure, raising the question as to its use as an indicator of solvent-related neurotoxic alterations. However, colour vision loss can likewise result from ocular damage. In the present study chromatic discrimination capacity and ocular integrity were examined among 23 workers of a paint manufacture plant exposed to solvent mixtures. Using industrial hygiene data, the workers were classified according to their exposure level: moderate (n = 13) and high (n = 10). Colour discrimination capacity was assessed using the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue, a colour arrangement test, providing qualitative and quantitative data. Biomicroscopy, funduscopy and peripheral visual field tests were used to examine ocular integrity. The results showed a significantly higher prevalence (P less than 0.02) of chromatic discrimination loss among the highly exposed workers (80%), as compared to the moderately exposed (23.1%). Ocular examination revealed no apparent major damage, although slight posterior sub-capsular opacification, indicative of incipient cataract, and, diminished foveal reflex were observed among 1/3 of the workers. Lens opacification was related to age and exposure duration, but not to exposure level. Diminished foveal reflex was not related to either age, exposure duration or level. Neither observation was related to chromatic discrimination loss. These findings support the hypothesis that chromatic discrimination impairment, associated with solvent exposure, reflects neural, rather than ocular, damage. The authors propose that tests of acquired colour vision loss be included in field batteries to evaluate neurotoxic effects of solvent exposure.

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