Which test assesses the eye's ability to detect colors?

The test that assesses the eye's ability to detect colors is the color vision test. This test specifically evaluates how well an individual can perceive different wavelengths of light, which corresponds to various colors. It typically involves the use of color plates or patterns known as Ishihara plates, which are designed to identify color deficiencies by challenging the patient to distinguish between different colors or shades.

In contrast, the visual field test measures the scope of what can be seen at one time and is important for detecting peripheral vision loss. The contrast sensitivity test evaluates the ability to discern objects from their background when colors are not significantly varied, focusing instead on the shades of gray. A retinal exam is a procedure that inspects the health of the retina and the other structures at the back of the eye but does not test for color detection ability specifically. Thus, the color vision test is the most appropriate choice for assessing the ability to detect colors.