Effects of Broadbanded Eye Protection on Dark Adaptation
Abstract
Modern combat scenarios require soldiers to perform military tasks under night time conditions. While image enhancement devices are vital to such military performance, unimpaired human night vision retinal mechanisms are essential for performance success. Protection of the human biological sensor is of utmost importance. In this investigation we have reexamined earlier findings indicating that sunglasses could prevent deleterious effects of bright light on dark adaptation. We found that the use of broad-band attenuating spectacles could improve absolute visual thresholds but they had minimal effect on central retinal mechanisms. Dark adaptation functions measured with long wavelength light showed no significant sunglass effect; whereas, such functions measured with intermediate spectral light decreased in final visual thresholds. These differential effects were obtained under environmental light conditions insufficient to produce an elevation in final visual thresholds for control groups subjects not provided with sunglasses. The results of this study strongly support previous arguments for providing standard visible and near ultraviolet protection to personnel required to perform military tasks under extremely bright environmental light.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA168305
Entities
People
- Edwin S. Beatrice
- Harry Zwick
- Kenneth R. Bloom
- Thomas A. Garcia
Organizations
- Letterman Army Hospital