Prevalence of colour blindness in province of Vojvodina - Republic of Serbia

Abstract

The absence of one or more receptor types in the eye leads to colour blindness. The frequency of this anomaly varies between populations but also within different regions of a country. The aim of the study is to determine the frequency of colour blindness in the region of Vojvodina-Republic of Serbia. The study includes data obtained in the investigations conducted during the period 1996-2009. The total number of subjects is 14125 (6847 males; 7278 females). The Ishihara plates are applied as a common methodological procedure. In total, the frequency of colour-blind males and females is 5.62% and 0.34%, respectively. As for a particular type of this deficiency, the results suggest that deutan deficiency prevails in relation to protan. Prevalence of colour blindness in all three regions of Vojvodina is very similar. The genetic heterogeneity of ethnic groups for this anomaly is relatively small. In comparison with earlier studies conducted in the region of Vojvodina, a slightly lower prevalence of daltonism is observed in the present population. The obtained results are within the limits set for European populations.