Yes / Purpose - Blur adaptation occurs when an observer is exposed to continuous defocus. However, it is unclear whether adaptation requires constant defocus, or whether the effect can still be achieved when the adaptation period is interrupted by short periods of clear vision. Methods - The study included 12 emmetropes and 12 myopes. All observers wore full refractive correction throughout the experiment. 1D and 3D of myopic defocus was introduced using spherical convex lenses. An automated system was used to place the blurring lens before the RE for varying periods of blurred and clear vision during adaptation. Participants watched a DVD at 3 m during each 15 min trial. Visual acuity was measured using Test Chart 2000 before and after adaptation. Results - Blur adaptation occurs to varying degrees depending on the periods of incremental blur exposure. Significant improvements in defocused visual acuity occur with continuous blur, equal blur and clear periods, as well as for longer blur periods. However, longer clear periods showed reduced adaptation and this trial is significantly different to the other three trials for both defocus levels (p < 0.001). No refractive group differences were observed for neither 1D nor 3D defocus (p = 0.58 and p = 0.19 respectively). Conclusions - Intervening periods of clear vision cause minimal disruption to improvements in defocused visual acuity after adaptation, indicating that blur adaptation is a robust phenomenon. However, when the exposure to clear vision exceeds the defocused periods, adaptation is inhibited. This gives insight into the effects of real-world tasks on adaptation to blur. / Ms Kiren A. Khan was supported by a School of Optometry and Vision Science PhD studentship.

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No / The purpose of this article is to determine whether blur adaptation influences blur sensitivity and blur discrimination thresholds in young adult myopes and emmetropes. In addition, to determine whether there is a differential effect of blur adaptation on blur sensitivity and discrimination between refractive error groups. Proximal and distal blur sensitivity thresholds and blur discrimination thresholds were measured under cycloplegia with a Badal optometer in 24 young adult subjects (8 emmetropes [EMM], 8 early-onset myopes [EOM], and 8 late-onset myopes [LOM]). Adaptation to 1 D of myopic refractive blur was then undertaken for 30 minutes. Blur sensitivity and discrimination thresholds were then remeasured. After blur adaptation, blur sensitivity, and blur discrimination thresholds were found to be elevated. Blur adaptation had a significant effect on distal blur sensitivity threshold, with the largest effect being observed in the EOMs. Mean changes in distal blur sensitivity thresholds were EMMs +0.03 ± 0.14 D, EOMs +0.30 ± 0.21 D, and LOMs +0.08 ± 0.13 D. Adaptation to a degraded stimulus modifies the blur detection mechanisms of the visual system in young adults. Depth of focus is expanded by prolonged exposure to defocus. EOMs are more susceptible to this phenomenon than are LOMs and EMMs.

Sensory adaptation to blur improves visual acuity under defocused conditions. This phenomenon has been successfully demonstrated using subjective measures of acuity and is known as blur adaptation. This study investigates aspects of the mechanism of blur adaptation in human vision using subjective and objective methods. Parafoveal visual acuity measured under defocused conditions demonstrates that blur adaptation is not limited to the fovea. The presence of the adaptive mechanism in the parafovea also suggests that the neural compensation that takes places under defocused conditions acts across a spatial range and is not limited to specific frequency bands. An evaluation of the contrast sensitivity function under defocus provides further evidence. Electrophysiological methods measure the effect of blur adaptation at the retina and at the visual cortex to provide objective evidence for the presence of the blur adaptation mechanism. Finally enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography examines whether a period of prolonged defocus triggers any short-term changes in choroidal thickness in a similar manner to that reported in animal emmetropisation.

Sensory adaptation to blur improves visual acuity under defocused conditions. This phenomenon has been successfully demonstrated using subjective measures of acuity and is known as blur adaptation. This study investigates aspects of the mechanism of blur adaptation in human vision using subjective and objective methods. Parafoveal visual acuity measured under defocused conditions demonstrates that blur adaptation is not limited to the fovea. The presence of the adaptive mechanism in the parafovea also suggests that the neural compensation that takes places under defocused conditions acts across a spatial range and is not limited to specific frequency bands. An evaluation of the contrast sensitivity function under defocus provides further evidence. Electrophysiological methods measure the effect of blur adaptation at the retina and at the visual cortex to provide objective evidence for the presence of the blur adaptation mechanism. Finally enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography examines whether a period of prolonged defocus triggers any short-term changes in choroidal thickness in a similar manner to that reported in animal emmetropisation. / Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council