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Some visual, optometric and perceptual effects of coloured glasses
Author(s) -
Wilkins Arnold,
Neary Catherine
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-1313.1991.tb00216.x
Subject(s) - optometry , perception , visual perception , psychology , visual pigments , cognitive psychology , computer science , ophthalmology , medicine , neuroscience , retinal , rhodopsin
We examined 20 individuals who had worn coloured glasses (Irlen filters) for a period of at least 3 months and who claimed to find them beneficial. Sixteen had a history of reading difficulties. The performance of a variety of visual tasks was compared (1) using the coloured lenses; (2) using neutral density filters of similar photopic transmittance; and (3) using trial lenses to correct any residual refractive error. The coloured lenses appeared to reduce discomfort and susceptibility to a anomalous perceptual effects upon viewing grating patters. They also improved the speed of visual search by a small amount. The lenses had idiosyneratic effects on ocular muscle balance and acuity. They did not affect contrast sensitivity at a spatial frequency of 4 c/deg.