Contrast sensitivities to one- and two-dimensional luminance patterns were compared in a two-alternative forced choice (2AFC) experiment. Space-averaged luminance was also manipulated. Statistical analyses revealed a main effect of stimulus dimension (p < .05) and no effect of space-averaged luminance. The main effect of stimulus dimension was explained in terms of an on-center, off-center receptive field model combined with watershed spatial vision behavior at spatial frequencies below 1 cycle-per-degree (cpd). The non-significant result for space-averaged luminance was explained by the limited range of manipulation of the variable. Two-dimensional luminance patterns were suggested as ideal patterns for reconciling grating-based spatial vision research with spatial vision behavior in an ecological context. Future research directions are suggested. / Master of Science

No / The spatial and temporal properties of human colour vision are examined using isoluminant, red¿green and blue¿yellow tritanopic gratings. Chromatic sensitivity is found to be low-pass as a function of both spatial and temporal frequency along all the chromatic axes investigated, including the tritanopic confusion lines employed to examine the properties of the S-cone driven mechanism. Comparison of sensitivity to on-off and contrast reversing stimuli indicates that transient mechanisms contribute to the detection of red¿green patterns but that the detection of S-cone specific patterns is governed by sustained mechanisms. By compensating for transient contributions to red¿green sensitivity, it is shown that sensitivity of chromatic mechanisms dominated by L- and M-cone input are closely matched to those with S-cone input.

Yes / Purpose: Even during steady fixation, people make small eye movements such as microsaccades, whose rate is altered by presentation of salient stimuli. Our goal was to develop a practical method for objectively and robustly estimating contrast sensitivity from microsaccade rates in a diverse population. Methods: Participants, recruited to cover a range of contrast sensitivities, were visually normal (n = 19), amblyopic (n = 10), or had cataract (n = 9). Monocular contrast sensitivity was estimated behaviorally while binocular eye movements were recorded during interleaved passive trials. A probabilistic inference approach was used to establish the likelihood of observed microsaccade rates given the presence or absence of a salient stimulus. Contrast sensitivity was estimated from a function fitted to the scaled log-likelihood ratio of the observed microsaccades in the presence or absence of a salient stimulus across a range of contrasts. Results: Microsaccade rate signature shapes were heterogeneous; nevertheless, estimates of contrast sensitivity could be obtained in all participants. Microsaccade-estimated contrast sensitivity was unbiased compared to behavioral estimates (1.2% mean), with which they were strongly correlated (Spearman's ρ 0.74, P < 0.001, median absolute difference 7.6%). Measurement precision of microsaccade-based contrast sensitivity estimates was worse than that of behavioral estimates, requiring more than 20 times as many presentations to equate precision. Conclusions: Microsaccade rate signatures are heterogeneous in shape when measured across populations with a broad range of contrast sensitivities. Contrast sensitivity can be robustly estimated from rate signatures by probabilistic inference, but more stimulus presentations are currently required to achieve similarly precise estimates to behavioral techniques. / Supported by a Confidence in Concept grant from the Medical Research Council, a Fight for Sight Project Grant (5059/5060) and a Wellcome Trust Research Fellowship to NWR (WT097387).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 101 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-99).

Thesis (doctoral)--Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, 1999. / Originally published: Knegsel : HV Press, 1999. Includes bibliographical references and index. Online version available. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/3.353254

Thesis (doctoral)--Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, 1999. / Originally published: Knegsel : HV Press, 1999. Includes bibliographical references and index.

Objetivo: Avaliar a Função de Sensibilidade ao Contraste de Luminância Espacial e Temporal, estudar o desenvolvimento destas funções, a contribuição das vias de processamento paralelo para as funções de Sensibilidade ao Contraste e seu respectivo desenvolvimento e, por fim, determinar valores normativos destas funções visando uma aplicabilidade clínica.Método A avaliação psicofísica de sensibilidade ao contraste de luminância espacial e temporal foi realizada em 112 sujeitos divididos em três grupos:GrupoI ( idade média =9,14±2,7 anos),Grupo II ( idade média=23,7 ± 3,4 anos) e Grupo III ( idade média=41,8± 5,5 anos) com o programa PSYCHO for Windows Versão 2.36 (Cambridge Research Systems, CRS-Ltd, UK) acoplado a um microcomputador PC XTC -600. . Os estímulos foram apresentados em um monitor Sony Triniton de 19 polegadas GFD420 (Sony Corporation, USA) com resolução espacial de 800X600 e resolução temporal de 69 Hz Os estímulos eram comandados pela placa gráfica VSG 2/4 (Cambridge Research Systems, CRS-Ltd, UK).Resultados A avaliação psicofísica para a sensibilidade ao contraste espacial e temporal mostraram que esta função já está desenvolvida e em pleno funcionamento em crianças (6 anos) ocorrendo um declínio para as frequências espaciais de 2,0cpg;8,3cpg e 14,5cpg para os grupos II e III.Para a frequência temporal de 2,5Hz o declínio ocorre nos Grupos II e III e para a frequência temporal de 5,0 Hz nas idades mais avançadas(GIII). Para o estudo da contribuição das vias de processamento paralelo (magnocelular e parvocelular) podemos notar uma maior sensibilidade ao contraste para decremento de luz do que para incremento de luz, porém não foi possível determinar a real contribuição dessas vias para a função de sensibilidade ao contraste. Conclusão Avaliamos com sucesso a Sensibilidade ao Contraste Espacial e Temporal para todas as faixas etárias e, assim, conseguimos ter acesso ao desenvolvimento desta função, entre as idades de 6 e 57 anos. Valores normativos para as tais funções foram estabelecidos por metodologia nãoparamétrica.. O estudo da contribuição das vias magnocelular e parvocelular não pode ser conclusivo, porém os achados mostraram uma maior sensibilidade para o decremente de luz o que corrobora com a literatura / Purpose: To analyze the spatial and temporal luminance contrast sensitivity function, to study the development of these functions, the contribution of the parallel processing pathways and to determine the normative values of these functions to order a clinical applicability normative. Methods the psychophysical evaluation of the spatial and temporal luminance contrast sensitivity was performed in 112 subjects divided into three groups: Group I (mean age =9.14±2.7 years), Group II (mean age=23.7 ± 3.4 years) and Group III (mean age=41.8± 5.5 years) with the PSYCHO for Windows Version 2.36 (Cambridge Research Systems, CRS-Ltd, UK) connect to the microcomputer PC XTC -600. The stimuli was showed in a monitor Sony Triniton de 19 inches GFD420 (Sony Corporation, USA) with spatial resolution of the 800X600 and temporal resolution of the 69 Hz. The stimuli was made by the graphics card VSG 2/4 (Cambridge Research Systems, CRS-Ltd, UK).Results The psychophysics evaluation to spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity showed that this function is already developed and full operation in children (6 years old) with a decline to spatial frequencies of 2.0cpg;8.3cpg and 14.5 cpg to the groups II and III. For the temporal frequency of 2.5Hz the decline occur to the groups II and III .and to the temporal frequency of 5.0 Hz the decline occur to the advantage ages(GIII). For the study of the parallel processing pathways (magnocellular e parvocellular) we can see bigger contrast sensitivity to decrement than to increment of light. It was not possible determine the real contribution of these pathways to the contrast sensitivity function. Conclusion We evaluated in a successful way the spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity to all age range and so we could access the development of this function between the ages from 6 to 57 years old. Normatives values to this function were established for non parametric methodology. The study of the contribution of the parvocellular and magnocellular pathways is not conclusive, but the results showed a bigger sensibility to decrement than to increment of light that was similar to the literature

Objetivo: Avaliar a Função de Sensibilidade ao Contraste de Luminância Espacial e Temporal, estudar o desenvolvimento destas funções, a contribuição das vias de processamento paralelo para as funções de Sensibilidade ao Contraste e seu respectivo desenvolvimento e, por fim, determinar valores normativos destas funções visando uma aplicabilidade clínica.Método A avaliação psicofísica de sensibilidade ao contraste de luminância espacial e temporal foi realizada em 112 sujeitos divididos em três grupos:GrupoI ( idade média =9,14±2,7 anos),Grupo II ( idade média=23,7 ± 3,4 anos) e Grupo III ( idade média=41,8± 5,5 anos) com o programa PSYCHO for Windows Versão 2.36 (Cambridge Research Systems, CRS-Ltd, UK) acoplado a um microcomputador PC XTC -600. . Os estímulos foram apresentados em um monitor Sony Triniton de 19 polegadas GFD420 (Sony Corporation, USA) com resolução espacial de 800X600 e resolução temporal de 69 Hz Os estímulos eram comandados pela placa gráfica VSG 2/4 (Cambridge Research Systems, CRS-Ltd, UK).Resultados A avaliação psicofísica para a sensibilidade ao contraste espacial e temporal mostraram que esta função já está desenvolvida e em pleno funcionamento em crianças (6 anos) ocorrendo um declínio para as frequências espaciais de 2,0cpg;8,3cpg e 14,5cpg para os grupos II e III.Para a frequência temporal de 2,5Hz o declínio ocorre nos Grupos II e III e para a frequência temporal de 5,0 Hz nas idades mais avançadas(GIII). Para o estudo da contribuição das vias de processamento paralelo (magnocelular e parvocelular) podemos notar uma maior sensibilidade ao contraste para decremento de luz do que para incremento de luz, porém não foi possível determinar a real contribuição dessas vias para a função de sensibilidade ao contraste. Conclusão Avaliamos com sucesso a Sensibilidade ao Contraste Espacial e Temporal para todas as faixas etárias e, assim, conseguimos ter acesso ao desenvolvimento desta função, entre as idades de 6 e 57 anos. Valores normativos para as tais funções foram estabelecidos por metodologia nãoparamétrica.. O estudo da contribuição das vias magnocelular e parvocelular não pode ser conclusivo, porém os achados mostraram uma maior sensibilidade para o decremente de luz o que corrobora com a literatura / Purpose: To analyze the spatial and temporal luminance contrast sensitivity function, to study the development of these functions, the contribution of the parallel processing pathways and to determine the normative values of these functions to order a clinical applicability normative. Methods the psychophysical evaluation of the spatial and temporal luminance contrast sensitivity was performed in 112 subjects divided into three groups: Group I (mean age =9.14±2.7 years), Group II (mean age=23.7 ± 3.4 years) and Group III (mean age=41.8± 5.5 years) with the PSYCHO for Windows Version 2.36 (Cambridge Research Systems, CRS-Ltd, UK) connect to the microcomputer PC XTC -600. The stimuli was showed in a monitor Sony Triniton de 19 inches GFD420 (Sony Corporation, USA) with spatial resolution of the 800X600 and temporal resolution of the 69 Hz. The stimuli was made by the graphics card VSG 2/4 (Cambridge Research Systems, CRS-Ltd, UK).Results The psychophysics evaluation to spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity showed that this function is already developed and full operation in children (6 years old) with a decline to spatial frequencies of 2.0cpg;8.3cpg and 14.5 cpg to the groups II and III. For the temporal frequency of 2.5Hz the decline occur to the groups II and III .and to the temporal frequency of 5.0 Hz the decline occur to the advantage ages(GIII). For the study of the parallel processing pathways (magnocellular e parvocellular) we can see bigger contrast sensitivity to decrement than to increment of light. It was not possible determine the real contribution of these pathways to the contrast sensitivity function. Conclusion We evaluated in a successful way the spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity to all age range and so we could access the development of this function between the ages from 6 to 57 years old. Normatives values to this function were established for non parametric methodology. The study of the contribution of the parvocellular and magnocellular pathways is not conclusive, but the results showed a bigger sensibility to decrement than to increment of light that was similar to the literature

A opacificação do cristalino presente ao nascimento ou nos primeiros meses de vida é denominada de Catarata Congênita (CC). As primeiras semanas de vida são importantes no desenvolvimento visual, já que há diferença significativa no desempenho visual de crianças que passaram pela cirurgia até seis semanas de vida (com melhor desempenho visual) em relação às crianças que realizaram a cirurgia após seis semanas de vida. Crianças que tiveram privação visual durante a primeira infância por catarata bilateral apresentam redução da visão espacial. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o impacto na Função de Sensibilidade ao Contraste (FSC) em crianças de tratamento cirúrgico de Catarata Congênita, durante a fase de desenvolvimento visual. Foram avaliados três grupos: 11 crianças do grupo controle (média idade =6,83; DP=1,38), 9 crianças do grupo CC (média idade =6,87; DP=2,03) e 15 indivíduos adultos (média idade =27,63; DP=4,16). Foi utilizado o software Metropsis para avaliação da sensibilidade ao contraste de luminância de grade senoidal nas frequências espaciais de 0,2 cpg; 0,5 cpg; 1,0 cpg; 2,0 cpg; 4,2 cpg e 8,9 cpg e luminância média de 34,4 cd/m². Houve redução em toda a curva de sensibilidade ao contraste (SC) do grupo CC quando comparado ao grupo controle e não houve relação entre o tempo de privação e a redução da SC / The opacification of the lens present at birth is called Congenital Cataract (CC). The first weeks of life are important in visual development since there is not any significant difference in visual performance of children who had surgery within six weeks of life (with better visual performance) compared with children who underwent surgery after this period. Children who have visual deprivation during infancy due to bilateral cataracts have reduced spatial vision. The aim of this study was to assess the impact on Contrast Sensitivity Function (CSF) in children with Congenital Cataract surgery during the visual development age range. We evaluated three groups: 11 control children (mean age = 6.83, SD = 1.38), 9 children in the CC group (mean age = 6.87, SD = 2.03) and 15 adults (mean age = 27.63, SD = 4.16). Metropsis software was used to evaluate sensitivity to luminance contrast of the sinusoidal grating spatial frequencies of 0.2 cpd, 0.5 cpd, 1.0 cpd, 2.0 cpd, 4.2 cpd and 8.9 cpd with an average luminance of 34.4 cd / m². There was a reduction in the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) of the CC group compared to the control group and there was no correlation between the duration of deprivation and the impairment in the SC

It has long been held that luminance acts as a cue for depth perception. But varying the luminance of a stimulus inevitably alters its contrast with its background. Recent research shows that contrast is a depth cue. I have distinguished two kinds of contrast, external contrast, the contrast of a stimulus with its background, and internal contrast, the contrast within the stimulus. I compared the relative apparent depth of two stimuli (both directly and indirectly; stimuli were either sine-wave filled hemifields, sine-wave filled squares, or plain squares), as their luminances and internal contrasts were varied along with the luminance of their background. I found internal and external contrast to be additive effects, whereby the stimulus with either a higher internal or external contrast appeared nearer. When the internal and external contrasts of the stimuli were equated, luminance acted as an ambiguous cue, with the lighter square appearing nearer for the majority of observers, and farther for a minority. Luminance may act as a depth cues from our experience with artificial lighting (artificial light varies ambiguously with depth). Contrast may act as a depth cue from its usual association with the reduction of contrast of objects with distance through the atmosphere. I conclude that luminance and contrast are independent depth-cues that are caused by two different mechanisms.