Visual search for normal color and dichromatic observers using a unique distracter color

Abstract

It is well known that color coding facilitates search and identification in real-life tasks. The aim of this work was to compare reaction times for normal color and dichromatic observers in a visual search experiment. A unique distracter color was used to avoid abnormal color vision vulnerability to background complexity. Reaction times for normal color observers and dichromats were estimated for 2° central vision at 48 directions around a white point in CIE L∗a∗b∗ color space for systematic examination on the mechanisms of dichromatic color perception. The results show that mean search times for dichromats were twice larger compared to the normal color observers and for all directions. The difference between the copunctual confusion lines and the confusion direction measure experimentally was 5.5° for protanopes and 7.5° for deuteranopes.