Changes in colour contrast sensitivity associated with operating argon lasers.

A new test of colour vision using computer graphics has been used to obtain quantitative estimates of colour contrast sensitivity in ophthalmologists before and after they have treated patients by argon laser retinal photocoagulation. The colour vision of all subjects is normal when tested with the 100-hue test and HRR (Hardy, Rittler, Rand) plates, but colour contrast sensitivity measured along a tritan colour confusion line is selectively impaired after a treatment session. No such change occurs after a medical session spent examining patients with a fundus camera. In younger ophthalmologists the sensitivity recovers several hours after the treatment session ends, but in some persons there is a prolonged and possibly permanent elevation of threshold.