The effect of high frequency flicker on accommodation

Neary, Catherine

Abstract

Monocular accommodation was measured by a laser optometer while two subjects viewed a letter matrix target illuminated by steady or intermittent (300, 100, 50 and 25 Hz) light and presented at a number of optical distances (0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 D). At certain rates of intermittent illumination, both above (50 Hz) and below (25 Hz) flicker fusion, an increased accommodation response was found. This increase occurred at all optical distances, except for the distance closest to each subject's dark focus, and resulted in a more accurate accommodation response for one subject, and a less accurate one for the other. Furthermore, for both subjects, evidence of an increase in the amplitude of the fluctuations in accommodation at 50 and 25 Hz was found for the higher stimulus levels. The implications of these findings for the control of accommodation and for practical problems of visual performance in the environment, such as visual discomfort associated with fluorescent lighting and intermittently illuminated visual display units, are discussed. Copyright © 1989, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 16, 1989
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 1989
• Journal: Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics
• Print ISSN: 0275-5408
• Electronic ISSN: 1475-1313
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 440-446
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-1313.1989.tb00949.x
• Keywords: high frequency flicker
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1111695
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-1313.1989.tb00949.x