Eye with color spectrum, symbolizing color contrast sensitivity, with a brain and tumor in the background

Is Your Vision Hiding a Brain Tumor? The Color Test That Could Save Your Sight

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals how a simple color contrast test can detect early signs of pituitary adenomas, offering a lifeline for those at risk of vision loss."

Imagine your vision slowly fading, colors becoming muted, and the world around you losing its vibrancy. This is the reality for many individuals unknowingly harboring pituitary adenomas (PAs), benign tumors that can press on the optic chiasm, leading to progressive vision loss. Early detection is crucial, but traditional methods often fall short in identifying these subtle changes.

A recent pilot study published in the Korean Journal of Ophthalmology sheds light on a promising new approach: the Maximum Color Contrast Sensitivity (MCCS) test. This innovative test aims to identify early chiasma damage by measuring an individual's ability to discern subtle differences in color contrast, offering a potential game-changer in the early diagnosis and management of PAs.

This article explores the findings of this groundbreaking study, breaking down the science behind the MCCS test and explaining why it could be a vital tool in preserving vision for those at risk. We'll delve into how this test works, who might benefit from it, and what the future holds for early detection of pituitary adenomas.

Unveiling the Maximum Color Contrast Sensitivity (MCCS) Test: A Deeper Look

Eye with color spectrum, symbolizing color contrast sensitivity, with a brain and tumor in the background

The MCCS test is designed to assess how well individuals can perceive subtle differences in color contrast. Unlike a standard visual acuity test that measures sharpness of vision, the MCCS test delves into the functionality of the visual pathways responsible for color perception. Here's how it works:

Participants are presented with a series of circles on a computer screen, each containing a bar with a specific color orientation. Their task is to identify the direction of the bar by pressing a corresponding button.

If the chosen direction is incorrect, the bar's color is highlighted to provide immediate feedback.
When the correct direction is selected, the color intensity of the bar is automatically reduced, creating a change in brightness against the background.
The test progressively assesses sensitivity to six different colors: red, green, blue, greenish-blue, violet, and yellow.
The system records the subject’s maximum sensitivity to each color, pinpointing subtle deficits in color perception.
The “total error score” (TES) is calculated and used as the single metric.

By measuring the threshold at which individuals can no longer accurately discern the bar's direction, the MCCS test can reveal subtle impairments in the visual pathways, potentially indicating early chiasma damage caused by a PA. Higher TES is associated with poor results and sensitivity.

The Future of Vision Preservation: MCCS and Early Detection

The findings of this pilot study offer a compelling glimpse into the potential of the MCCS test as a valuable tool in the early detection of chiasma damage caused by pituitary adenomas. By identifying subtle deficits in color contrast sensitivity, this test could pave the way for earlier diagnosis, intervention, and ultimately, vision preservation for those at risk. Further research and wider adoption of this technology could revolutionize how we approach the management of pituitary adenomas and protect the precious gift of sight.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3341/kjo.2016.30.4.295, Alternate LINK

Title: The Application Of A New Maximum Color Contrast Sensitivity Test To The Early Prediction Of Chiasma Damage In Cases Of Pituitary Adenoma: The Pilot Study

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Korean Journal of Ophthalmology

Publisher: Korean Ophthalmological Society

Authors: Girena Slatkeviciene, Rasa Liutkeviciene, Brigita Glebauskiene, Dalia Zaliuniene, Loresa Kriauciuniene, Giedrimantas Bernotas, Arimantas Tamasauskas

Published: 2016-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are pituitary adenomas, and why is it important to detect them early?

Pituitary adenomas are typically benign brain tumors that can affect vision by pressing on the optic chiasm. This pressure can lead to progressive vision loss. Early detection is vital because it allows for timely intervention, potentially preventing significant visual impairment. Without early diagnosis and management, the continued pressure from pituitary adenomas can result in irreversible damage to the visual pathways.

What is the Maximum Color Contrast Sensitivity (MCCS) test, and what makes it significant?

The Maximum Color Contrast Sensitivity (MCCS) test is designed to measure how well an individual can perceive subtle differences in color contrast. Unlike standard visual acuity tests that measure sharpness of vision, the MCCS test assesses the functionality of the visual pathways responsible for color perception. It is significant because it can identify early chiasma damage caused by pituitary adenomas, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.

How does the Maximum Color Contrast Sensitivity (MCCS) test work?

During the Maximum Color Contrast Sensitivity (MCCS) test, participants are shown a series of circles with bars of different colors and orientations. They must identify the direction of the bar. If they are incorrect, the color is highlighted to provide feedback. When the correct direction is chosen, the color intensity is reduced. The test measures sensitivity to six colors: red, green, blue, greenish-blue, violet, and yellow, recording the maximum sensitivity to each color and calculating a total error score (TES).

What does the total error score (TES) mean in the Maximum Color Contrast Sensitivity (MCCS) test?

The total error score (TES) is a metric calculated in the Maximum Color Contrast Sensitivity (MCCS) test. It represents an individual's overall performance in discerning subtle differences in color contrast. A higher TES indicates poorer sensitivity and a greater number of errors in identifying the color orientations. This score is used to identify potential impairments in the visual pathways, which can be indicative of early chiasma damage due to pituitary adenomas.

How can using the Maximum Color Contrast Sensitivity (MCCS) test help people with vision problems?

The Maximum Color Contrast Sensitivity (MCCS) test can lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention for pituitary adenomas by identifying subtle deficits in color contrast sensitivity, indicating chiasma damage. This can enable timely treatment, potentially preventing further vision loss. While the study shows promise, broader implementation and further research are necessary to fully realize its potential in vision preservation.