Reaction and response times for accommodation

Using an infra-red dynamic optometer, a qualitative comparison of the accommodation responses of two observers to step changes in target position showed marked differences in their ability to accommodate correctly. Measurement of reaction time (or latency) gave results comparable with those of other workers and independent of target position. Measurements of response time showed for one observer that the response time was dependent on the extent of the accommodative change required; this was not true of the other observer. Possible reasons for the intersubject differences and the role of the instructions given to the observer are discussed.