Abstract Context: There is paucity of data on the topic of color vision deficiency on a large scale. Studies on color vision deficiency in Hyderabad are not found. Aims: To study the prevalence and awareness of color blindness in school children of class V to X. Settings and design: School based cross sectional study conducted at schools located in Quthbullapur, Hyderabad. Methods and material: During the study period a total of 1000 school children belonging to classes V-X were screened for the presence of color vision
defect. At the same time their knowledge was also assessed related to color vision defect. Ishihara Chart was used for screening of color vision defect. Statistical analysis: Proportions were used to analyze the data. For association study, chi square test was used. P value of less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant Results: Males (1.33%) were more affected with color vision deficiency than the females (0.25%). 752 students had knowledge about color vision deficiency. 248 students could not define color blindness. Out of the 752 children having knowledge, most (87.6%) took precautions for color vision deficiency by various means such as; getting eye check-ups regularly, or having seen the ishihara chart before. Knowledge was directly associated with precautions taken. A large proportion of 87.6% among those who had knowledge took precautions compared to only 9.3% who had no knowledge. This difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of color vision deficiency though
low is significant. Knowledge levels are not adequate among the children.
Keywords: Prevalence; Awareness; Color Blindness; Spectrum; Disorder