Comment on ‘Mesopic models / from brightness matching to visual performance in night-time driving: a review’ by M Eloholma, M Viikari, L Halonen, H Walkey, T Goodman, J Alferdinck, A Frieding, P Bodrogi and G Várad

Abstract

A previous work summarized the history of the measurement of visual sensitivity to identify the problems inherent in mesopic photometry. The authors stated that in practical lighting applicatons, the detection and recognition of visual objects at or near visual threshold, and the reaction time needed to perceive objects in the visual field, are more relevant than the visual assessment of brightness. In this paper, Fotios comments on the study's results particularly on differences in spectral sensitivity between people of different nationalities. He emphasizes that brightness should not be relegated as it is a fundamental visual perception that is related to the amount of light present, and that in turn related to how well one can see. For their part, the authors of the previous study emphasize that visual task perception is not based on brightness itself but contrast.