Understanding of the processes and mechanisms of vision has advanced enormously in recent years. Despite this, there are only tenuous links between current lighting design practice and visual science. This is an unsatisfactory state of affairs since, at face value, lighting design should seek to optimise the performance of the visual system. This paper describes an experiment investigating changes in response time of subjects detecting movement of a pointer, with decreasing adaptation luminance. A physiological explanation of the results is suggested and the implications for lighting design are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Recommended values of illuminationTrans. Illum. Eng. Soc. London1(3) 42-44 (1936)
Beutell A.W.An analytical basis for a Lighting CodeIllum. Eng.275-16(1934)
4.
Weston H.C.The relation between illumination and visual efficiency—the effect of brightness contrast Report No. 87 (London: Medical Research Council Industrial Health Board) (1945 )
5.
IES Code: Recommendations for Good Interior Lighting (London: Illuminating Engineering Society) (1961)
6.
Blackwell H.R. and Blackwell O.M.Population data for 140 normal 20-30 year olds for use in assessing some effects of lighting on visual performanceJ. Illum. Eng. Soc.9(3) 158-174 (1980)
7.
An Analytical model for describing the influence of lighting parameters upon visual performancePublication CIE19/2 (Paris: Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage) (1981)
8.
CIBS Code for interior lighting 1984 (London : Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers ) (1984)
9.
Rea M.S.Some practical implications of a new visual performance modelProc. National Lighting Conf. Nottingham1986 (London: Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) (1986)
10.
Welford A T (ed.) Reaction times (London: Academic) (1980)
11.
Mollon J.D. and Krauskopf J.R.Reaction time as a measure of the temporal response properties of individual colour mechanismsVis. Res.1327-40 (1973).
12.
Gurfinkel V.S. and KotsYa M cited in Visual Perception: physiology, psychology and ecology Bruce V and Green P (London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates) (1985)
13.
Whiting H T A and Sharp R.H.ibid.
14.
Aguilar M. and Stiles W.S.Saturation of the rod mechanism of the retina at high levels of stimulationOpt. Acta1(1) 59-65 (1954)
15.
Campbell F.W. , Rothwell S.E. and Perry M.J.Bad light stops play To be published
16.
Stiles W.S.Increment thresholds of the mechanisms of colour visionDoc. Ophth.3138-163 (1949)
17.
Marriott F H C in The Eye ed. Davson H (London: Academic) (1976)
18.
Norman R.A. and Werblin F.S.Control of retinal sensitivity I: Light and dark adaptation of vertebrate rods and conesJ. Gen. Physiol.6337-61 (1974)
19.
Barlow H B and Mollon J D (eds.) The Senses (Cambridge : CUP) (1982)
20.
Hunt D R GThe use of artificial lighting in relation to daylight levels and occupancyBuilding Env.1421-33 (1978)
21.
Saunders J.E.The role of the level and diversity of horizontal illumination in an appraisal of a simple office taskLighting Res. Technol.I(1) 39 (1969)
22.
Rothwell S.E. and Campbell F.W.The physiological basis for the sensation of gloom: quantitative and qualitative aspects To be published
23.
Lythgoe J.N.The ecology of vision. ( Oxford: OUP) (1979)
24.
Kirschfield K.The resolution of the lens and compound eye in Neural principles of vision ed. Zettler F and Weiler R ( Berlin: Springer) (1976)
