Enhancement of image content for observers with colour vision deficiencies

Abstract

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015. Colour vision deficiency (CVD) represents a functional disorder, predominantly caused by hereditary reasons, which results in difficulties in colour recognition and differentiation. As the use of colour to convey visual information in contemporary digital environment increases, it becomes more justified to tackle the issue of information accessibility. What colour-impaired observers actually see is of high value for understanding their visual problems in daily life. Many simulation methods confirmed in practice allow an average observer to view the image from the perspective of colour-deficient observers—“to look the world through their eyes”. We can make advantage of such simulations to define colour schemes that are suitable for everyone or to define optimal adaptation of the image content for the target population. The chapter summarizes the state of the art in enhancement methods, that is, daltonization methods, for adapting confusing image colours perceived as the same by colour-deficient viewers and, thus, enhancing their perceived image quality and accessibility in retrieving information.