Red/Green Test: Practical Eye Exam Sheet
- maudoptical
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
Objective of Red/Green Test
The Red/Green test allows you to perform dioptric balance:
in presbyopic patients: in near vision, to determine the addition,
in non-presbyopic patients: to analyze the accommodation / convergence relationship.
Principle
The test is based on chromatic dissociation using red and green filters.
Each eye perceives the letters differently depending on the color.
Comparing the clarity of red and green letters makes it possible to adjust the spherical power in order to achieve a dioptric balance.
Test Conditions
The patient wears their theoretical or habitual distance vision correction.
Early presbyopic patient with addition ≤ 1.00 δ: Do not add the near addition to the distance correction in the trial frame
Patient with an addition > 1.00 δ: Use a deliberately lower addition than the prescribed or estimated value. In practice: about 1.00 δ less to establish a starting point
Test performed at the HARMON or REVIP distance.
Theoretical Addition Based on Age
Age | 40 years | 44 years | 47 years | 49 years | 51 years | 54 years | 58 years | 63 years |
Addition | +0,75δ | +1,00δ | +1,25δ | +1,50δ | +1,75δ | +2,00δ | +2,25δ | +2,50δ |
Common Student Mistakes ❌
Incorrect interpretation of patient responses (red vs green).
Incorrect handling of trial lenses, leading to an inappropriate correction.
Conclusion
The Red/Green test is an essential eye examination test used to refine the spherical correction and achieve accurate dioptric balance. Easy to perform, it allows fine adjustments, especially in near vision for presbyopic patients.
This test is commonly used in clinical practice, but also in exams, especially for optometry students, optician students, and orthoptic students.
Mastering the Red/Green test helps improve accuracy, build confidence during clinical exams, and feel more comfortable when working with real patients.
