Reading performance with various lamps in age‐related macular degeneration

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was an objective difference in reading between four commonly available lamps, of varying spectral radiance, for 13 subjects with age-related maculopathy (ARM) or non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD-logMAR visual acuity range 0.04 to 0.68). At a constant illuminance of 2000 lux, there was no interaction between ARM and AMD subgroups and no statistically significant difference between the lamps: standard (clear envelope) incandescent, daylight simulation (blue tint envelope) incandescent, compact fluorescent and halogen incandescent, for any reading outcome measure.Threshold print size p = 0.67, critical print size p = 0.74, acuity reserve p = 0.84 and mean reading rate p = 0.78.For lamps typically used in low vision rehabilitation, there is unlikely to be a clinically significant effect of spectral radiance on reading for people with ARM or non-exudative AMD.2

The impact of light source on discrimination ability in subjects with age-related macular degeneration

“…Eperjesi et al. (2007) did not find any differences in legibility with different light sources, which may be because of the limited size of the test group and the fact that the light level was set high, at 2000 lux.…”

“…The lens of the eye changes size, refraction index, curvature and colour with age; but contrary to expectations, this study shows that individuals with surgically implanted intraocular lenses do not have a better chance of achieving improved contrast vision with fullspectrum light than individuals who have not undergone cataract surgery. Eperjesi et al (2007) did not find any differences in legibility with different light sources, which may be because of the limited size of the test group and the fact that the light level was set high, at 2000 lux. This level is considerably higher than the values measured after interventions to improve lighting that affected quality of life in previous studies, including the introduction of halogen lights above the kitchen workspace and in the reading area aimed at improving the ability to carry out detailed tasks (Brunnstro¨m et al 2004).…”

“…However, the significance of the quality of lighting is poorly documented and has only been investigated in smaller studies (Höfling 1979; Sharon et al. 2006; Eperjesi et al. 2007).…”

“…A small study by Eperjesi et al. showed that at a constant illuminance at 2000 lux, there was no difference in reading between four commonly used lamps [standard (clear envelope) incandescent, daylight simulation (blue tint envelope) incandescent, compact fluorescent and halogen incandescent] (Eperjesi et al. 2007).…”

“…Quality of life has also shown to be improved by improving the lightning conditions on several parameters (Brunnstro¨m et al 2004). However, the significance of the quality of lighting is poorly documented and has only been investigated in smaller studies (Ho¨fling 1979;Sharon et al 2006;Eperjesi et al 2007). A small study by Eperjesi et al showed that at a constant illuminance at 2000 lux, there was no difference in reading between four commonly used lamps [standard (clear envelope) incandescent, daylight simulation (blue tint envelope) incandescent, compact fluorescent and halogen incandescent] (Eperjesi et al 2007).…”