Reaction time to spatial frequencies using yellow and luminance-matched neutral goggles

The popularity of yellow goggles for outdoor activities has long been a paradox to visual scientists as previous tests of their effectiveness have failed to show any visual advantage. The achromatic/chromatic theory of color vision suggests a possible solution to the paradox which was tested by measuring reaction times to spatial frequencies of varying contrast. Reaction times were faster with yellow goggles than with luminance-matched neutrals under certain conditions. These conditions included frequencies in the middle of the range of human sensitivity and, specifically, the lower contrasts of these frequencies. The theoretical and practical applications of the results are discussed.