Rayleigh match ranges of red/green color-deficient observers: psychophysical and molecular studies

Large-field Rayleigh match ranges were measured in 27 red/green color-deficient male observers, using bright, temporally alternating, 3-9 deg annular test fields. The observers' X-linked opsin gene arrays were characterized by molecular genetic techniques, and used to infer the absorption maxima of each observer's L and/or M cone photopigment(s). Measured match ranges decreased rapidly as the inferred separation in pigment absorption maxima increased from 0 to 2-3 nm, and varied irregularly thereafter. Following He & Shevell [(1995) Vision Research, 35, 2579-2588] predicted match ranges were calculated for various pigment separations and assumed values of pigment optical density. The predicted variations in match range encompassed the measured match ranges of most (but not all) of the color-deficient observers. The calculations also showed that differences in pigment optical density, in two cone types containing the same pigment, are sufficient to allow a moderate degree of chromatic discrimination. Such models thus provide a possible account of the fact that some color-deficient observers, with only a single X-linked opsin gene, can make red/green chromatic discriminations.