A STUDY OF THE PROTECTION AFFORDED BY LOW-TRANSMISSION VISORS FOR VARYING URATIONS OF USE,
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the effect of visual adaptation on flash blindness recovery time. The experimental paradigm was as follows. Subjects were adapted to a given level of ambient illumination. They then wore the protective visor for a prescribed period of time during which time they would readapt in terms of the decreased retinal illumination. At the end of this period, they were exposed to a high-intensity flash simulating that of a nuclear detonation. Subjects then performed a standard visual task, the reading of an aircraft instrument dial, as soon as possible. Time to recover useful vision was recorded. The visor was worn during both the flash exposure and the task performance. The protective effectiveness of the Navy gold-coated protective visor, which transmits 2.75% of the visible energy, is not reduced following extended periods of visor wear. The extent of the dark-adaptation produced by decreased retinal illumination when the visor is used is not significant in terms of an increase in the flash blindness recovery period. For totally dark-adapted individuals, there is a minimal increase in flash blindness recovery time, in the order of 1 second, when exposed to a high-intensity flash while wearing the visor. This situation, however, is not realistic in terms of the operational use of a protective visor. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0470900
Entities
People
- James F. Parker Jr.
- Raymond E. Reilly
- Robert R. Gilbert