Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The currently accepted position concerning recommended lighting for visually impaired individuals is that individually identified and specified lighting is required for these persons to attain optimal visual performance. However, there is presently no formula for predicting the placement or intensity of a light source needed for any given patient, nor are there any specific rules for determining optimal illumination for visually impaired individuals. The purpose of the present study was to determine (a) if individual levels of optimal illumination could be reliably determined for visually impaired adults, and (b) if the level identified in assessment had validity in relation to a practical reading task. Visual response accuracy was assessed across 10 levels of illumination which were all greater than normal room lighting. Each level was presented 4 times for a total of 40 experimental trials.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Ary

, Jacobs

L. C.

, and Razavieh

(1979). Introduction to research in education (2nd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

Barraga

N. C.

, & Morris

J. E.

(1980). Program to develop efficiency in visual functioning: Source book on low vision. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.

Bier

(1960). Correction of subnormal vision. London: Butterworths.

Campbell

D. T.

, and Stanley

J. C.

(1963). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research. Chicago: Rand McNally.

Faye

E. E.

(1970). The low vision patient. New York: Grune & Stratton.

Fonda

(1970). Management of the patient with subnormal vision (2nd ed.). St. Louis, MO: C.V. Mosby Co.

Genensky

S. M.

, Berry

S. H.

, Bikson

T. H.

, and Bikson

T. K.

(1979). Visual environmental adaptation problems for the partially sighted: Final report (CPS-100-HEW). Santa Monica, CA: Center for the Partially Sighted.

Guth

S. K.

(1971). Light and Lighting for the visually handicapped. In Rex

(ed.). Proceedings of a special study institute: Methods and procedures for training low vision skills. Normal, IL: Illinois State University.

Hawkins

R. P.

, and Fabry

B. D.

(1979). Applied behavior analysis and interobserver reliability: A commentary on two articles by Birkimer and Brown. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 12, 545–552.

10.

Henderson

S. T.

, and Marsden

A. M.

(1972). Lamps and lighting. New York: Crane, Russak & Co.

11.

Hood

C. M.

(1975). Nonoptical aids. In Faye

, Hood

(Eds.). Low Vision (pp. 42–48). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

12.

Jose

(1980). Clinical examination of the visually impaired. In Beliveau

, Smith

A. J.

(Eds.). The interdisciplinary approach to low vision rehabilitation, (pp. 82–103). New York: American Foundation for the Blind.

13.

Kaufman

J. E.

(1966). IES lighting handbook (4th ed.). New York: Illuminating Engineering Society.

14.

Marsden

A. M.

(1972). Vision. In Henderson

S. T.

, Marsden

A. M.

(Eds.). Lamps and lighting. New York: Crane, Russak & Co.

15.

Reichardt

C. S.

(1979). The statistical analysis of data from nonequivalent group designs. In Cook

T. D.

, Campbell

D. T.

(Eds.) Quasi-experimentation: Data and analysis issues for field settings. (pp. 147–205). Chicago: Rand McNally.

16.

Stein

, and Slatt

B. J.

(1976). The ophthalmic assistant: Fundamentals and clinical practice. St. Louis, MO: C.V. Mosby.

17.

Watson

(1980). Training with near and intermediate distance optical and nonoptical aids. In Beliveau

, Smith

A. J.

(Eds.). The interdisciplinary approach to low vision rehabilitation. (pp. 304–360). New York: American Foundation for the Blind.

18.

Watson

, and Bittner

(1980). A rehabilitation teacher's functional low vision evaluation. In Beliveau

, Smith

A. J.

(Eds.). The interdisciplinary approach to low vision rehabilitation. (pp. 103–137). New York: American Foundation for the Blind.

Assessing Optimal Illumination for Visual Response Accuracy in Visually Impaired Adults

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References