What does Ishihara testing assess?

Ishihara testing is specifically designed to assess color vision, particularly the ability to distinguish between different colors. This test utilizes a series of plates that feature numbers or shapes made up of colored dots, where individuals with normal color vision can easily identify the numbers, while those with color blindness may struggle to do so. This method is widely used to diagnose red-green color blindness and is a standard practice in vision assessments.

The other options, while related to vision and eye health, do not pertain to what Ishihara testing evaluates. Visual acuity is measured through other tests that determine clarity of vision, depth perception assessments usually involve different types of tasks or images that test how well a person can perceive the third dimension, and peripheral vision tests focus on the ability to see objects outside of direct line of sight. Thus, the focus of Ishihara testing is exclusively on color perception difficulties, making it a vital tool in identifying color vision deficiency.