The Accupational Visual Field: II. Practical Aspects: The functional Visual Field in Abnormal Conditions and Its Relationship to Visual Ergonomics, Visual Impairment and Job Fitness

Abstract

This second portion of the official report from the IPS Task Committee on the Functional Visual Field describes the effects of age, refractive error and its correction, ocular and neuro-ophthalmic disease, hypoxia, drugs, physical exercise, environmental lighting and noise on the functional visual field. Relationships between the functional visual field and ergonomics are also discussed, particularly with regard to driving, piloting an airplane, control tasks, illumination engineering, optical instruments, visual display units, and the design of spectacles and other devices that partially obstruct or interfere with peripheral vision. A third section examines visual field loss as a form of visual impairment, especially with regard to the definitions of visual disability, low vision and blindness, the prediction of functional capabilities, and the design of treatment regimens. Relationships between visual field properties and job fitness are discussed in a fourth section, with an emphasis on existing regulations and how they might be improved for driving, aviation and other areas. The last report section consists of technical notes pertaining to testing distance, measurement of eye and head movements, assessment of the dynamic functional visual field, and detection of visual field defects within the context of industrial medicine and automobile driver licensing requirements.