December 2017
Volume 17, Issue 15
Open Access
OSA Fall Vision Meeting Abstract  |   December 2017
Effects of simulated visual impairment on orientation and shape perception
Author Affiliations
  • Andrea Li
    Queens College CUNY, Department of Psychology
  • Byron Johnson
    Queens College CUNY, Department of Psychology
  • Silvia Calderon
    Queens College CUNY, Department of Psychology
  • Chananya Stern
    Queens College CUNY, Department of Psychology
  • Michael Martinez
    Queens College CUNY, Department of Psychology
  • Khalid Barnes
    Queens College CUNY, Department of Psychology
  • Brianna Bisogno
    Queens College CUNY, Department of Psychology
  • Carolyn Wood
    Queens College CUNY, Department of Psychology
  • Chayala Friedman
    Queens College CUNY, Department of Psychology
  • Nicole Cavallo
    Queens College CUNY, Department of Psychology
  • Hafsah Khan
    Queens College CUNY, Department of Psychology
Journal of Vision December 2017, Vol.17, 45-46. doi:https://doi.org/10.1167/17.15.45a
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      Andrea Li, Byron Johnson, Silvia Calderon, Chananya Stern, Michael Martinez, Khalid Barnes, Brianna Bisogno, Carolyn Wood, Chayala Friedman, Nicole Cavallo, Hafsah Khan; Effects of simulated visual impairment on orientation and shape perception. Journal of Vision 2017;17(15):45-46. https://doi.org/10.1167/17.15.45a.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Visual impairment is reduced vision due to aging, disease, or injury that cannot be corrected by corrective lenses or surgery. We explore the effects of digitally simulated visual impairment on orientation and shape perception in individuals with normal or corrected-to-normal vision. Relative effects of blur and contrast reduction on perception were examined by equating impairment levels via visual acuity. Specifically, we determined for each subject, levels of blur and contrast reduction needed to reduce visual acuity to 20/40 (minimum acuity required to obtain a driver's license) or 20/60 levels. These impairment levels were then applied to 1.5 cpd and 4.5 cpd horizontally and vertically oriented Gabor stimuli to measure their effects on tilt thresholds. 20/40 levels of blur had no effect on tilt thresholds, however equivalent levels of contrast reduction significantly increased tilt thresholds at both frequencies. Increasing blur to 20/60 levels significantly increased tilt thresholds at 4.5 cpd (but not 1.5 cpd), owing to a higher pass blur filter. Thus even mild levels of contrast reduction, such as that commonly experienced in cataracts, can affect orientation perception. These results are predictable given the frequency content of our stimuli. However it remains to be seen whether similarly predictable effects will be obtained using more complex stimuli processed by higher order mechanisms in the visual system. Effects of blur and reduced contrast on shape perception using radial frequency patterns will be reported. Understanding effects of different forms of impairment may contribute to digital technologies to enhance vision on an individual basis.

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