I had my medical in June and the Ishihara plates are still used as part of the vision test. A whole booklet of them, in fact.
Digging a bit deeper, the S1604 document (Vision standard for personnel requiring safety on the track certification) details exactly what is required by TfL:
3.1.2
The visual acuity scale used in this standard is for a traditional Snellen chart. Where
a logMAR chart is used for vision assessment the reading shall be converted to
Snellen using the scale contained in the current British Standard.
3.2
Vision Standards
3.2.1
General
3.2.1.1 Personnel requiring safety on the track certification must not suffer from any eye
pathology which may affect their own safety, or that of others, when on or about the
track. This includes conditions or treatment which may cause sudden impairment/loss
of vision or visual fields.
3.2.1.2 Use of spectacles (including bifocals and varifocals) and contact lenses is permitted to achieve the corrected vision standard.
3.2.2
Track Competent, Protection Master, and Track Access Qualified (LU only)
3.2.2.1 Uncorrected vision must be 3/60 or better, in both eyes.
3.2.2.2 Corrected vision must be at least 6/9 in one eye and 6/12 in the other, or better.
3.2.2.3 Full visual fields are required in both eyes.
3.2.2.4 Normal colour vision is required. However for LU employees only, the LU Category 5 Standard (S5606 – Colour Vision Standard) may apply.
3.2.2.5 Contact lenses are permitted unless not allowed for occupational reasons, as
identified in the risk assessment.
Reference: S1604 A3
There appears to be dispensation for LU to use an alternative colour vision standard, S5606. I can't find this standard online - can anyone with Intranet access confirm exactly what this is?
