What type of testing is done to assess color vision abnormalities?

The Ishihara test is specifically designed to assess color vision abnormalities. This test utilizes a series of plates containing various colored dots arranged in patterns to form numbers or shapes that can be identified by individuals with normal color vision. Those with color vision deficiencies often struggle to see the patterns clearly or may misidentify them, allowing eye care professionals to effectively evaluate for conditions such as red-green color blindness or other forms of color vision deficiency.

The other tests mentioned serve different purposes: the Snellen test is primarily used to determine visual acuity, the visual field test assesses the range of vision and detects any blind spots, and the contrast sensitivity test evaluates the ability to distinguish objects from their background under different lighting conditions. However, none of these tests are specifically tailored for assessing color vision, which is why the Ishihara test stands out as the correct choice for this particular purpose.