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Updated: May 12, 2026

Visualizing Visual Adaptation
Published on: April 24, 2017
How to display data by color schemes compatible with red-green color perception deficiencies
Matthias Geissbuehler1, Theo Lasser
1Laboratoire d’Optique Biomédicale LOB, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 17, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. matthias.geissbuehler@a3.epfl.ch
Abstract:
Visualization of data concerns most scientists. The use of color is required in order to display multidimensional information. In addition, color encoding a univariate image can improve the interpretation significantly. However up to 10% of the adult male population are affected by a red-green color perception deficiency which hampers the correct interpretation and appreciation of color encoded information. This work attempts to give guidelines on how to display a given dataset in a balanced manner. Three novel color maps are proposed providing readers with normal color perception a maximum of color contrast while being a good compromise for readers with color perception deficiencies.
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