Dichromatic color vision at high light levels: red/green discrimination using the blue-sensitive mechanism

Vision Res. 1998 Apr;38(7):973-83. doi: 10.1016/s0042-6989(97)00280-0.

Abstract

Three red/green blind observers (dichromats) performed a wavelength discrimination task over a wide range of intensity levels. As expected, discrimination failed in the entire red/green spectral range at the low intensities typically used in wavelength discrimination experiments, but at very high intensities (at or above 10,000 td) discrimination was well maintained into the red/green range. The following experiments demonstrate that dichromats are able to utilize signals from the blue-sensitive cones (S-cones) to mediate color discrimination throughout the spectrum at high intensities, and they provide an estimate of S-cone sensitivity throughout the visible spectrum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Color Perception / physiology*
  • Differential Threshold
  • Humans
  • Lighting*
  • Male
  • Mathematics
  • Models, Neurological
  • Photometry
  • Psychophysics
  • Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / physiology