The proposed work will study the relationship between field defects in low vision patients and performance on everyday tasks important to mobility, reading, and successful use of optical aids. We will also develop procedures for scoring ordinary visual field maps that are specific to these tasks. The study will concentrate on four visual abilities that are expected to mediate performance on the specific tasks: 1) detecting, 2) finding, 3) scanning stationery objects, and 4) tracking moving objects. Our performance measures are 1) a self-report questionnaire designed to probe visual function in everyday circumstances, 2) direct observation of the subject's visual function both indoors and outdoors, 3) mobility on an indoor test course, 4) reading ability, and 5) psychophysical measures of scanning and tracking performance. The long-term objectives are to 1) provide a better understanding of the relationships between field defects and visual performance, 2) describe the factors that determine successful use and acceptance of low vision aids, and 3) provide clinicians and rehabilitation professionals with tools that can better predict the client's functioning in everyday life.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AG006551-01
Application #
3117615
Study Section
Vision Research and Training Committee (VSN)
Project Start
1986-05-01
Project End
1989-04-30
Budget Start
1986-05-01
Budget End
1987-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Lighthouse International
Department
Type
DUNS #
073272486
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10022
Knoblauch, K; Arditi, A; Szlyk, J (1991) Effects of chromatic and luminance contrast on reading. J Opt Soc Am A 8:428-39
Arditi, A; Knoblauch, K; Grunwald, I (1990) Reading with fixed and variable character pitch. J Opt Soc Am A 7:2011-5
Arditi, A; Holtzman, J D; Kosslyn, S M (1988) Mental imagery and sensory experience in congenital blindness. Neuropsychologia 26:1-12
Arditi, A (1987) The adaptive significance of the location of the optic disk. Perception 16:649-54