Iris color evaluation with a digital color camera

In this work we measure and evaluate the color of irises, prostheses and cosmetic colored contact lenses with a system based on a digital RGB color camera. Using multispectral tools, the CIE L*a*b* colorimetric coordinates are computed from the RGB digital values of the acquired images. With the statistical analysis of the L*a*b* values, the color gamuts and the CIEDE2000 color differences, a comparison of the color associated to each set of samples is performed. Specifically, the samples are classified in three major groups: brown, blue and green, using a new algorithm developed for this purpose. In the same way, the irises color reproduction achieved by prostheses and contact lenses is analysed, obtaining closer results in prostheses than in contact lenses. Besides, a preliminary analysis of the color spatial distribution of the irises, prostheses and cosmetic colored contact lenses by means of an algorithm based on co-occurrence matrices is also performed. The results obtained suggest that the color spatial distribution and therefore, the texture associated to each kind of samples, is very different. This study provides useful information on the color and texture of irises and may help improving the techniques used in the manufacturing process of prostheses and colored contact lenses in order to obtain a better and more realistic appearance.Peer Reviewe