Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)

Did you know that eight percent of all males have a color vision deficiency? There are multiple color vision tests available and approved by the FAA. Some of the more standard test equipment such as the pseudoisochromatic color plate test only test moderate or severe color deficiency. If you fail the pseudoisochromatic color plate test at the time of your FAA physical exam, the aviation medical examiner (AME) may issue your medical certificate with the limitation “Not valid for night flying or color signal control.”

To have the restriction removed, you may choose to take one of the FAA-approved alternative pseudoisochromatic color plate tests such as the Farnsworth Lantern or OPTEC 900 color vision test. These tests assess the degree of color vision defect and are less sensitive to mild color vision deficiency. These tests assess the degree of color vision defect and are less sensitive to mild color vision deficiency. Someone with mild color vision deficiency might fail one of the more common screening tests and but be able to pass the OPTEC 900.

If you successfully complete the alternate test, you will be considered as having acceptable color vision for the FAA. You will need to take a color vision test each time you reapply for a medical certificate. Therefore, if you have a slight color deficiency it is imperative that as a professional pilot you take the proper color vision test. The OPTEC 900 color vision test is among the most suitable tests for any airman with a mild color deficiency, but the equipment has been out of production for years and is hard to find. Dr. Cappuccino uses the OPTEC 900 for advanced color vision testing.