The what and the where of vision lighting research

Abstract

Vision neuroscience research and vision lighting research have historically run on parallel paths. The former discipline is primarily interested in understanding the basic neurophysiological and biophysical characteristics of the visual system, while the latter is primarily interested in understanding the best means for designing and engineering perceptions of architectural spaces and for improving safety and productivity of indoor and outdoor applications. This review frames vision lighting research conducted over the past century in terms of current vision neuroscience research, illustrating the similarities in the two research paths. It is also argued that visual lighting research could be more impactful on society at large if the basic framework established by vision neuroscience were considered in planning and conducting applications research. Specifically, studies aimed at understanding the luminous environment in terms of the what and the where of visual subsystems would provide the foundation for developing unique and highly valuable lighting applications and standards.

Impacts of home lighting on human health

“…105 People suffering from migraines are more sensitive to light than other people, even when they are not experiencing a headache, and hence they are more likely to experience glare or not tolerate bright light. 109 The spectral power distribution of the light incident at the eyes has been found not to have a marked effect on disability glare but to impact ratings of discomfort glare: [110][111][112][113][114][115] light sources that emit more short-wavelength light induce more discomfort glare at the same luminance level compared to light sources with less short-wavelength content. Hence light sources with a higher content of blue light, such as cool white light sources, may be perceived as causing more discomfort glare for the same amount of light reaching the eyes.…”

Making the switch from task illumination to ambient illumination standards: Principles and practicalities, including energy implications

“…More fundamentally, Rea 15 has reviewed research in the field of artificial intelligence to give an enhanced understanding of how the visual system operates to enable people to perceive their surroundings. He has introduced the concept of the visual system being comprised of two sub-systems for which ‘ One sub-system deals with object detection, visual search, apparent motion and eye movements (where) and the other with perceived shape, colour and brightness (what) ’.…”

“…He has introduced the concept of the visual system being comprised of two sub-systems for which ‘ One sub-system deals with object detection, visual search, apparent motion and eye movements (where) and the other with perceived shape, colour and brightness (what) ’. 15 These sub-systems are activated by two distinct channels that feed retinal responses into the visual cortex. The magnocellular (M) channel delivers rapid, low-resolution responses from large neurons distributed widely over the retina (except for the central region) that provide for the ‘where’, and the parvocellular (P) channel delivers slower, high-resolution responses from small neurons that are closely spaced in the central retinal region and provide for the ‘what’.…”

Towards a user preference model for interior lighting Part 1: Concept of the user preference model and experimental method

“…The attribute brightness is defined in the CIE e-ILV as the ‘ attribute of a visual perception according to which an area appears to emit, or reflect, more or less light ’. 20 Although brightness has ‘ at least three aspects’ , 21 the present article deals only with the ‘scene brightness’ aspect, the perception of ‘ the overall amount of light reaching the observer’s eyes ’. 21 The concept of scene brightness is important in many areas of lighting engineering including the design of the lit interior space in which brightness should be generally high enough in order ‘ to make seeing easy ’, 22 i.e.…”