Number of discernible colors for color-deficient observers estimated from the MacAdam limits

摘要

We estimated the number of colors perceived by color normal and color-deficient observers when looking at thentheoretic limits of object-color stimuli. These limits, the optimal color stimuli, were computed for a color normalnobserver and CIE standard illuminant D65, and the resultant colors were expressed in the CIELAB andnDIN99d color spaces. The corresponding color volumes for abnormal color vision were computed using modelsnsimulating for normal trichromatic observers the appearance for dichromats and anomalous trichomats. Thennumber of colors perceived in each case was then computed from the color volumes enclosed by the optimalncolors also known as MacAdam limits. It was estimated that dichromats perceive less than 1% of the colorsnperceived by normal trichromats and that anomalous trichromats perceive 50%–60% for anomalies in thenmedium-wavelength-sensitive and 60%–70% for anomalies in the long-wavelength-sensitive cones. Complementarynestimates obtained similarly for the spectral locus of monochromatic stimuli suggest less impairmentnfor color-deficient observers, a fact that is explained by the two-dimensional nature of the locus. © 2010 OpticalnSociety of America