The integrity of the visual field may be impaired in children with low vision, demanding compensatory strategies for acquiring and integrating visual information over central and peripheral regions of the field. Observations of children with low vision suggest that often they are unresponsive to peripheral information relevant to orientation and mobility, even though standard visual assessments indicate that such stimulus patterns should be visible. The present project is motivated by several key gaps in currently available knowledge relevant to this problem: Currently available visual assessments do not evaluate motion sensitivity, attention, and pattern recognition in the peripheral field; knowledge is still limited about the impact of various types of visual impairments on the processes and mechanisms for integrating information about motion and spatial patterns over the panoramic visual field; and too little is known about the developmental plasticity of visual skills for integrating changing spatial information over the central and peripheral fields. ? ? To address these problems, the present study is designed to (a) develop a method for testing peripheral visual functions beyond those describing photosensitivity, (b) determine whether differences in peripheral visual function exist among children with and without low vision and those with different low vision etiologies, and (c) determine whether peripheral visual skills can be improved by training. ? ? This study should contribute (a) knowledge about several basic mechanisms of visual function in both normal and low vision populations, (b) tools for assessing visual function in children with low vision, and (c) training strategies for improving visual functioning of children with low vision, especially as related to the use of peripheral vision for mobility and spatial orientation. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03EY015558-01
Application #
6767270
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZEY1-VSN (01))
Program Officer
Oberdorfer, Michael
Project Start
2004-06-01
Project End
2007-05-31
Budget Start
2004-06-01
Budget End
2005-05-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$151,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37212
Nyquist, Jeffrey B; Lappin, Joseph S; Zhang, Ruyuan et al. (2016) Perceptual training yields rapid improvements in visually impaired youth. Sci Rep 6:37431
Tadin, Duje; Nyquist, Jeffrey B; Lusk, Kelly E et al. (2012) Peripheral vision of youths with low vision: motion perception, crowding, and visual search. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 53:5860-8
Lappin, Joseph S; Tadin, Duje; Nyquist, Jeffrey B et al. (2009) Spatial and temporal limits of motion perception across variations in speed, eccentricity, and low vision. J Vis 9:30.1-14
Tadin, Duje; Lappin, Joseph S; Sonsino, Jeffrey (2008) Recognition speed using a bioptic telescope. Optom Vis Sci 85:1135-41
Tadin, Duje; Paffen, Chris L E; Blake, Randolph et al. (2008) Contextual modulations of center-surround interactions in motion revealed with the motion aftereffect. J Vis 8:9.1-11
Lappin, Joseph S; Shelton, Amy L; Rieser, John J (2006) Environmental context influences visually perceived distance. Percept Psychophys 68:571-81
Tadin, Duje; Kim, Jejoong; Doop, Mikisha L et al. (2006) Weakened center-surround interactions in visual motion processing in schizophrenia. J Neurosci 26:11403-12