Visual effects of the luminance surrounding a computer display.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Visual Perception
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Computer display surround luminance can cause disability glare, discomfort glare, and transient adaptation.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing visual display ergonomics.
• Age-related differences in visual perception may influence optimal surround luminance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure the effects of various surround luminance levels on disability glare, discomfort glare, and transient adaptation.
• To determine recommended surround luminance levels for computer displays in younger and older adults.
• To assess preferred surround luminance levels across different age groups.

Main Methods:

• Investigated younger (23-39 years) and older (47-63 years) adult groups.
• Tested surround luminance levels ranging from 1.4 to 600 cd/M² with a central task luminance of 91 cd/M².
• Assessed disability glare using low-contrast visual acuity, transient adaptation via fixation tasks, discomfort through questionnaires, and preferred luminance via method of adjustment.

Main Results:

• Surround luminance significantly affected transient adaptation (p < 0.0001).
• Optimal transient adaptation occurred at 50 cd/M² and above for younger adults and 91 cd/M² and above for older adults.
• Neither low-contrast acuity (disability glare) nor reading discomfort were significantly affected by surround luminance.

Conclusions:

• Lowest surround luminance levels should be avoided to prevent negative visual effects.
• Recommended surround luminance levels are at or slightly below the central display luminance.
• Preferred surround luminance levels averaged 86.9 cd/M² for younger and 62.2 cd/M² for older adults.