Peripheral resolution and contrast sensitivity: Effects of stimulus drift. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Venkataraman, Abinaya Priya; Lewis, Peter; Unsbo, Peter; Lundström, Linda
• Is Part Of: Vision research. Volume 133(2017)
• Page Start: 145
• Page End: 149
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Peripheral vision -- Contrast sensitivity -- Spatial frequency -- Temporal frequency -- Drifting gratings; Vision -- Periodicals; 573.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2017.02.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0042-6989

Abstract

Abstract: Optimal temporal modulation of the stimulus can improve foveal contrast sensitivity. This study evaluates the characteristics of the peripheral spatiotemporal contrast sensitivity function in normal-sighted subjects. The purpose is to identify a temporal modulation that can potentially improve the remaining peripheral visual function in subjects with central visual field loss. High contrast resolution cut-off for grating stimuli with four temporal frequencies (0, 5, 10 and 15 Hz drift) was first evaluated in the 10° nasal visual field. Resolution contrast sensitivity for all temporal frequencies was then measured at four spatial frequencies between 0.5 cycles per degree (cpd) and the measured stationary cut-off. All measurements were performed with eccentric optical correction. Similar to foveal vision, peripheral contrast sensitivity is highest for a combination of low spatial frequency and 5–10 Hz drift. At higher spatial frequencies, there was a decrease in contrast sensitivity with 15 Hz drift. Despite this decrease, the resolution cut-off did not vary largely between the different temporal frequencies tested. Additional measurements of contrast sensitivity at 0.5 cpd and resolution cut-off for stationary (0 Hz) and 7.5 Hz stimuli performed at 10, 15, 20 and 25° in the nasal visual field also showed the same characteristics across eccentricities.