Visual Comfort Research Articles

Assessment of Wavefront Aberrations in Children with Myopia Against the Background of Ocular Surface Disorders in Combination with Computer Vision Syndrome Digital and Eye Strain

Purpose: to assess the state of the wavefront in children with myopia, who have various manifestations of digital eye strain and symptoms of ocular surface disorders, and to evaluate the diagnostic significance of wavefront criteria for assessing the state of the ocular surface.Patients and methods. The study involved 76 children (152 eyes) with myopia aged 8 to 18 years who used gadgets and computers for more than 2 hours a day. All patients used glasses as a method of optical correction and were constantly worn. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 1st with symptoms of ocular surface disorder, 2nd — comparison group. Subjective signs were studied using the online questionnaire “State of the ocular surface”. Using the “Keratograph 5M Oculus” the following parameters were assessed: non­invasive tear film breakup time (NTBR), including the first tear film breakup time, average tear film breakup time, breakup time gradient and maximum tear film breakup zone, the same device was used to perform infrared meibography and study of the lipid layer of the tear film. All patients underwent wavefront aberrometry in a darkened room without cycloplegia.Results. It was found that in the group of patients with the presence of subjective phenomena of disturbance of the state of the ocular surface, identified using the online questionnaire “State of the ocular surface”, rotor aberrations were statistically significantly higher than in the comparison group. At the same time, the indicators of higher­order corneal aberrations have comparable values. Correlation analysis between indicators of the state of the ocular surface and parameters of the wavefront in the group of children with disturbances of the state of the ocular surface showed that a higher level of corneal aberrations corresponds to a higher number of points on the questionnaire of disturbances of the ocular surface and the state of visual comfort, in turn, when comparing data on non­invasive tear film breakup time, a negative correlation was established, which means that with a higher number of points on the questionnaire, and therefore, with a more significant degree of impairment of the ocular surface, the tear film breakup time was shorter.Conclusion. The structure of the wavefront in children with myopia against the background of a disorder of the ocular surface in combination with CVS and digital eye strain is significantly different from the structure of the wavefront in the comparison group.

LIGHT QUALITY EVALUATION IN DRAWING WORKSHOPS THROUGH NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING’S COMBINATION: CASE STUDY, BLOCK 06 WORKSHOPS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TÉBESSA

Daylight is a crucial element in architectural design. The evaluation of daylighting in buildings serves two main objectives. The first is to achieve visual comfort through daylighting, which is most suitable for human physiology. The second objective is to examine energy efficiency and control energy consumption. Daylighting strategies can significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing the lighting and electrical cooling needs of buildings (Jean-Louis Scartezzini, 1993). Appropriate architectural design not only provides access to inspiring visual outdoor information but also contributes significantly to sustainable development by replacing and displacing electrical energy consumption in buildings (Suzel BALEZ 2007). Our study investigates the performance level of the combination of both natural and artificial lighting in design workshops, using both comparative and experimental approaches. The importance of the study aims at reducing energy consumption and energy costs by utilizing natural lighting when possible. Therefore, the overall objective of this research is to improve the quality of light in the indoor space by combining natural and artificial lighting to create a more uniform and balanced lighting. Additionally, this research aims to create a more pleasant indoor environment for occupants through the use of natural light, which can contribute to their well-being and health.

Geometrical optimization of solar venetian blinds in residential buildings to improve the economic costs of the building and the visual comfort of the residents using the NSGA-II algorithm

The entering sunlight from the building's windows mainly affects the heating and visual comfort of the occupants. The applications of Venetian blinds are a solution to improve the heating and visual comfort of the occupants. However, reducing the sunlight that enters the space can result in a rise in the building's electricity consumption. While most studies focus on the electricity production of solar panels, present study aims to examine the effect of solar venetian blinds on the indoor visual and thermal comfort of the occupants and optimize their geometry considering different geographical specifications. In the present paper, efforts are made to numerically install solar panels on Venetian blinds and analyze the effect of changing the geometrical parameters of solar Venetian blinds and the building's window dimensions on visual comfort and net electricity. Therefore, the target functions in the present paper are an improvement percentage in the daylight glare index and an improvement percentage in the net electricity costs for the analyzed building. As a result, five cities in Iran that have different climatic conditions are targeted to model the building. EnergyPlus software is employed to conduct the energy-based calculations, and the design variables and target functions are defined using JEPLUS software. The outputs are next inserted in JEPLUS+EA software to process a multi-objective optimization using the NSGA-II algorithm. The results demonstrate that the visual comfort and net electricity can be optimized by ranges of 10–100% and 1.5–10%, respectively. Furthermore, Venetian blinds are proven to have higher reception of sun radiations and better efficiency in southern cities and they can have a more proper performance while being installed for windows of southern building wall.

Multi-objective optimization of office egg shadings using NSGA-II to save energy consumption and enhance thermal and visual comfort

The construction industry's excessive energy usage necessitates practical solutions to address this pressing issue. Windows are crucial architectural elements as they allow the majority of natural light to enter a structure. The poorly designed window and related components cause the space to overheat, consuming more energy. However, it negatively impacts the building's thermal and visual comfort. The paper introduces a novel approach for optimizing control parameters for egg shadings through multi-objective methods. The recommended approach significantly reduces the building's energy consumption and enhances its thermal and visual comfort. EnergyPlus is a software utilized for conducting energy-related simulations. The JEPLUS software has therefore considered seven design variables, such as differences in the vertical and horizontal angles of the shade, length and horizontal dimensions, depth and vertical dimensions, and window positioning. These year-round simulations are performed in four different orientations for four different Iranian towns with various climates. The data is improved by using the program JEPLUS + EA. To find the best locations on the Pareto front, the data is optimized using the NSGA-II approach. The optimization results indicate that a lower angle improves visual comfort but takes more electricity for lighting. The findings of multi-objective optimization of controlled blind characteristics improved thermal and visual comfort with ranges of 5–45% and 55–100%, respectively, and lowered overall building energy consumption by 1–19% yearly, depending on the building's geographic orientation.

Enhancing Energy Conservation, Visual and Thermal Comfort in Small Houses of Karachi

The significance of housing in developing cities cannot be overstated, as individuals strive to acquire and own physical assets throughout their lives, even in the case of small plots as modest as 80 square yards. In urban areas such as Karachi, smaller houses ranging from 80 to 240 square yards mostly are predominantly constructed by contractors or by owners themselves. This is to avoid additional fees charged by architects who may tailor the design to suit the context and specific requirements. Consequently, these houses tend to exhibit a similar layout, maximizing the utilization of allowable space as stipulated by the bylaws. However, this approach often leads to limited natural ventilation and daylighting, resulting in increased energy consumption for thermal and visual comfort. Hence, the current research underscores the urgency of addressing the prevailing lack of natural ventilation and daylighting in these houses. To address these concerns, it presents a comprehensive framework of passive strategies aimed at enhancing the thermal and visual comfort of occupants. Firstly, an archival study was conducted, encompassing a comprehensive literature review, which served as a foundation to understand the subject matter. Secondly, a comparative study was undertaken to examine conventional small house typical plans prevalent in Karachi. This study was followed by the formulation of proposals for improved planning. Various secondary resources were utilized to support the comparative analysis of two typical house plans in Karachi, in conjunction with the proposed passive strategies. Through the application of these strategies, occupants can benefit from improved comfort, reduced energy consumption, and heightened well-being.

Optimizing architectural multi-dimensional forms; a hybrid approach integrating approximate evolutionary search, clustering and local optimization

Parametric tools in architecture allow for the design of complex and multi-dimensional forms on building facades. Among these, geometric patterns can mitigate direct sunlight and enhance energy efficiency. However, conventional simulation methods and available optimization tools are prohibitively expensive for optimizing such complex forms. To address this challenge, this study proposes two innovative hybrid workflows that integrate parametric modeling, evolutionary approximate and accurate models (NSGA-III), clustering through k-means algorithm, and local search (Tabu search) technique. The outcomes obtained from employing these hybrid approaches demonstrate a substantial reduction in computational time and costs while simultaneously achieving optimal results. Additionally, an extensive comparison between the two proposed methodologies is presented encompassing factors such as performance metrics and computational expenses incurred during implementation. The findings derived from pattern optimization reveal several key insights: increasing pattern counts; dispersing them across the facade; minimizing the distance between the pattern wall from windows; adopting a south-facing orientation with positive vertical rotation – all contribute towards diminishing energy consumption (measured by Energy Use Intensity or EUI) within cold climates. However, material selection for these patterns primarily affects visual comfort levels.

2D5-1 The effect of desk surface luminance distribution with task and ambient lighting on visual comfort

2D5-1 The effect of desk surface luminance distribution with task and ambient lighting on visual comfort

Thermal and visual comforts of occupants for a naturally ventilated educational building in low-income economies: A machine learning approach

Thermal and visual comfort (TVC) significantly impact the health and productivity of occupants as well as the indoor environmental quality in educational buildings. Machine learning approaches have currently gained popularity for TVC prediction; however, accurately predicting TVC faces challenges due to instrumental errors, environmental noise, and imbalanced data. Moreover, studies have revealed the unreliability of TVC predictions, particularly in naturally ventilated buildings. Therefore, this study develops three machine learning models, random forest (RF), decision tree (DT), and XGBoost, to accurately predict TVC using 1310 sets of field survey data collected from a naturally ventilated educational building (NVEB) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Recursive feature elimination with cross-validation is employed to identify optimal features, while two resampling methods are applied to manage imbalanced classification. The RF model achieves the highest accuracy of 96 % for thermal comfort prediction, while the XGBoost model attains the highest accuracy of 95 % for visual comfort prediction. Meanwhile, the DT model achieves an accuracy of 94 % and 93 % for TVC prediction, respectively. Moreover, both RF and XGBoost outperform DT in class prediction performance, with an average area under the curve (AUC) scores above 0.95, while DT achieves an average AUC score above 0.80. In terms of two resampling methods, the results show that the models developed using the synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE) + edited nearest neighbour approach leads to less misclassification compared to the SMOTE + Tomek link. These findings demonstrate the capability of machine learning models in accurately predicting TVC in NVEBs and handling imbalanced datasets.

Methods, Area Ratio and Plants of Biowall to Induce Atmospheric Comfort: A Review

Biowall is one of the several innovative strategies people use to build a comfortable interior atmosphere with living plants. This research attempts to trace the gaps in the previous analysis as a 'state of the art' with a literature review method by focusing on the biowall method, area ratio and types of plants. Biowall performance is mainly related to the influence of thermal, visual, audial, and respiratory comfort. It is an essential topic used to induce atmospheric interiors, such as temperature, humidity, light intensity, sound insulation and absorption, CO2, HCHO, VOC, and particulate levels. The results showed that the empirical methods used were actual scale-up and down experiments, laboratories in test chambers, simulation with specific software, and case research on in-situ biowall. The comparison between the biowall and room size varied significantly due to the absence of a legal basis and reasons. Ferns and succulents were the most widely used species to induce atmospheric comfort. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further research on biowall physical comfort based on multisensory simultaneously and determine its standard dimension and digital integration. Subsequent researchers must further discuss home-scale biowall acceleration and utilization of food-medicinal plants.

The Use of Transparent Structures to Improve Light Comfort in Library Spaces and Minimize Energy Consumption: A Case Study of Warsaw, Poland

Light plays a key role in shaping the quality and atmosphere of interior spaces, and its importance and contradictions are amplified in the design of libraries. This study focuses on the problems associated with both insufficient natural light and excessive light. In both cases, visual discomfort is the result. The reason for these problems lies in the use of translucent structures with different parameters and properties in library architecture. This study analyzed the lighting environment in the main reading rooms of two university libraries in Warsaw. The research methods were based on a field survey of objects and an analysis of the architectural and construction parameters of the premises, as well as the physical and mechanical properties of various types of translucent materials used in the reading rooms. The results of this study shed light on the relationship between the interior space of the reading room and the geometry of transparent structures, as well as the effectiveness of daylighting in libraries in the natural conditions of Warsaw. The key point of the present study was to recognize the critical role that transparent materials and structures play in mitigating potential operational problems in library spaces. Wise selection of these elements at the design stage can help minimize problems related to thermal energy regulation, ventilation control, acoustic insulation, and increased visual comfort. The importance of this research area lies in its potential to optimize library buildings by increasing energy efficiency and reducing reliance on artificial lighting, heating, and air conditioning. Careful consideration of transparent materials at the design stage promises long-term benefits in the form of sustainable library spaces that not only meet functional requirements, but also contribute to a more environmentally conscious architectural landscape.

Research on the Movement Speed of Situational Map Symbols Based on User Dynamic Preference Perception

When designing situational maps, selecting distinct and visually comfortable movement speeds for dynamic elements is an ongoing challenge for designers. This study addresses this issue by conducting two experiments to measure the human eye’s ability to discern moving speeds on a screen and examines how symbol movement speeds within situational maps affect users’ subjective experiences, task performance, and visual comfort. The first experiment measured participants’ speed discrimination capabilities for Landolt Ring of varying sizes moving at 0–256°/s, yielding speed discrimination thresholds of 7–23% and a sensitive velocity range of 1–64°/s. The second experiment evaluated observers’ visual perceptions of moving elements within a cognitive task across the same range of 1–64°/s, identifying three significant benchmarks—8°/s, 16°/s, and 32°/s. These can be utilized to categorize slow-, moderate-, and fast-moving symbols in situational maps. The findings can aid in designing human–machine interface environments with improved viewer experience and visual comfort for both Air Traffic Control interfaces and situational maps.

Design and Implementation of Electrochromic Smart Windows with Self-Driven Thermoelectric Power Generation.

Electrochromic smart windows can achieve controllable modulation of color and transmittance under an external electric field with active light and thermal control capabilities, which helps reduce energy consumption caused by building cooling and heating. However, electrochromic smart windows often rely on external power circuits, which greatly affects the independence and portability of smart windows. Based on this, an electrochromic smart window driven by temperature-difference power generation was designed and implemented. This smart window provides automatic and manual control of the reversible cycle of electrochromic glass from light blue to dark blue according to user requirements and changes in the surrounding environment, achieving adaptive adjustment of visual comfort and reducing energy consumption. The infrared radiation rejection (from 780 to 2500 nm) of the electrochromic smart window is as high as 77.3%, and its transmittance (from 380 to 780 nm) fluctuates between 39.2% and 56.4% with changes in working state. Furthermore, the temperature in the indoor simulation device with electrochromic glass as the window was 15 °C lower than that with ordinary glass as the window after heating with a 250 W Philips infrared lamp for ten minutes. After 2000 cycles of testing, the performance of the smart window was basically maintained at its initial values, and it has broad application prospects in buildings, vehicles, and high-speed rail systems.

Exploring the Impact of Facade Color Elements on Visual Comfort in Old Residential Buildings in Shanghai: Insights from Eye-Tracking Technology

Building façade color plays a key role in shaping urban image, enhancing urban vitality, and optimizing citizens’ living experience. Moreover, colors can influence people’s perception of space, but the multiple interrelationships between color elements and users’ color evaluation and visual perception have not yet been thoroughly studied. In order to explore the relationships between color elements and visual perception and subjective comfort, this study discusses the matching relationship between color and the comfort of a residential building façade from three levels of color hue, lightness, and saturation by combining eye movement technology and a subjective evaluation. Taking Anshan San Village in Shanghai as the research object, the relationship model between color elements, visual perception, and subjective comfort is established through correlation analysis, linear regression, and multifactor regression analysis, and the correlation between single elements and multiple elements is explored from multi-dimensional perspectives. It aims to assess the operability of eye movement data as a measure of the visual comfort with the residential building façade color through multiple indicators and to explore and establish a new correlation assessment framework between the three attributes of façade color and users’ visual comfort. The results show that (1) highly saturated façade colors significantly increase cognitive load and decrease color evaluation. (2) Brightness has a non-linear relationship with visual perception and subjective evaluation, either too high or too low a brightness value will cause visual fatigue and thus reduce the color evaluation, and when the brightness is maintained at 40–80%, there will be a better color experience. (3) Warm tones such as red, orange, and yellow can strengthen the color perception to enhance the color evaluation of the façade; among cold tones, cyan and purple can also strengthen the visual perception of the color of the façade to enhance the color evaluation. After validation, the proposed new color comfort assessment method is feasible and comprehensive, and we hope it can provide a reference for the planning of old residential buildings and communities in the future.

Static and dynamic glazing integration for enhanced building efficiency and indoor comfort with thermochromic and electrochromic windows

Effective building energy efficiency requires understanding fenestration’s role in regulating indoor temperatures. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of integrating static glazing with dynamic coatings on building energy efficiency and indoor comfort in a lightweight structure situated in a semi-arid climate. Employing a comprehensive numerical model developed using EnergyPlus and Radiance tools, various static commercial glass window configurations are evaluated to assess their effects on energy consumption, thermal and visual comfort, and economic and environmental considerations. This analysis includes assessments of thermal comfort using PMV and PPD indicators and evaluations of visual comfort based on daylighting and glare metrics. The findings highlight the advantages of incorporating thermochromic and electrochromic films, demonstrating significant improvements in building energy efficiency and interior thermal and visual comfort. Notably, double glazing emerges as the most economically efficient and environmentally viable option, resulting in a reduction of emissions by 1522.38 kgCO2/year, with a payback period of 12.86 years. Furthermore, combining thermochromic and electrochromic coatings with optimal static glazing leads to a remarkable 26 % reduction in energy consumption. These results underscore the potential of dynamic coatings to enhance building energy performance while ensuring occupant comfort. This research approach provides valuable insights into sustainable building design, emphasizing the integrated impact of glazing solutions on energy use, comfort, and environmental sustainability.

Simulation Training Using DIALux Evo Software for Estimation of Visual Comfort Level of a Building

This community outreach aims to conduct simulation training using DIALux Evo to estimate the visual comfort level in a room. Visual comfort is a crucial aspect of building design and management that can impact the occupant’s health, comfort, and productivity. However, it is often challenging for interior designers to accurately estimate the level of visual comfort. This activity involves the application of simulation technology using DIALux Evo. Participants will be provided with knowledge and skills in operating this software, covering tasks from designing rooms, placing objects, selecting building materials, and choosing artificial lighting, to analyzing, and visualizing the lighting level in a room, also will study SNI related to visual comfort. The program’s outcomes provide participants with the knowledge and skills to use DIALux Evo in estimating the visual comfort level before implementation. Finally, they can optimize space design, ensure appropriate lighting quality, and enhance the occupant’s comfort and health.

Solar responsive building glazing: Experimental analysis of the impact of photochromic glazing on indoor thermal and luminous conditions

The application of films on conventional glazing aims at increasing the glazing performance by reducing energy needs and increasing indoor comfort. Photochromic films in particular can alter their optical properties due to a chromatic change in response to solar radiation, allowing for reduced glare levels and solar heat gains. However, despite the potential of application, this refurbishment solution is still poorly explored. Therefore, the main purpose of this work was to experimentally evaluate the thermal and luminous performance of a double glazing with and without a photochromic film installed, using two office rooms in Lisbon as case study. An extended field experimental campaign was conducted simultaneously in both offices, where temperature, solar radiation and illuminance levels were collected. The key contribution and novelty of this research lies on the experimental assessment of the thermal and visual comfort conditions with the photochromic film under real-occupancy. Even though the photochromic film significantly increased the surface temperatures of the glazing, the indoor air temperature was not negatively affected, with an increase up to 14 % of working hours with comfortable temperature during the heating period. Illuminance levels on vertical/horizontal plane were reduced by 24/36 % in the presence of the photochromic film, when compared to the clear glazing without film, resulting in an increase of 7 % of working hours with useful illuminance during the heating period, and large areas in the office room with imperceptible daylight glare levels when facing the glazing system. The impact of the film was less noticeable during the cooling period.

Enhancing visual comfort in staircases: A comprehensive analysis and design recommendations

Abstract People should be walking towards the inside of the dwelling through an appropriate visual environment in transitional space; this environment is the staircase in the collective housing. The proper understanding of visual adaptation parameters in the staircase helps architects provide a suitable environment for inhabitants. This paper aims to specify design elements of the staircase in collective housing, to achieve a visual comfort in this transitional space. The work involved two approaches: field measurements and a visual comfort survey using a questionnaire; 144 questionnaires are collected, in four residential buildings with different staircases treatment in the city of Arris, Algeria, to examine the illuminance levels in different staircase positions along the path from outside the building to inside, in summer and winter where illuminance ratios were calculated and compared with CIBSE Code. The discomfort sensations ranged from "subtle” to "dramatic”. The results show that a staircase with the percentage of opening of 88% indicated "strong" and "dramatic" visual shock in many points and as this staircase is open, it is exposed to light conditions and so it does not ensure the necessary transition. This leads to advising against the open staircase. In the case of a staircase treated with transoms of clear glass with the percentage of opening of 11%, these transoms direct the light to specific areas creating "strong" visual shock in many points of the stair landings and hence it leads to advise against that. The staircases treated with vertical bays throughout the façade presenting a percentage of opening between 19% and 22%, these treatments allow the penetration of daylight in a diffused way which ensures a balanced distribution of daylight inside the staircases. The existence of a solid overhang at the entrance; the façade treated with vertical bays, where the percentage of opening of the façade is about 19% and 22%, provided adequate transition leading to reasonable visual comfort.

P‐33: Differences in Visual Comfort of Smartphones between Comfortable and Uncomfortable Luminance

Differences in visual comfort between comfortable and uncomfortable luminance were explored on a smartphone. The results revealed that tiny changes in CFF and microsaccade parameters (pupil diameter, amplitude, and peak velocity) were presented at the comfortable luminance, inducing less eye discomfort. Particularly, CFF is an effective indicator of visual comfort and fatigue.

Designing A Room Comfort Measurement Tool Based on ESP32 Microcontroller for Thermal, Auditory and Visual Comfort

Designing A Room Comfort Measurement Tool Based on ESP32 Microcontroller for Thermal, Auditory and Visual Comfort

P‐38: The Influence of Parallax and Shape Type Factors on the Perception of AR Equipment in Dark Environment

In this paper, the influence of parallax and image shape type on stereo vision perception is quantitatively explored by using RDS stimuli based on AR equipment through subjective scoring. Results show that an angular parallax amplitude between 0.6 ° and 1.2 ° can bring the best stereo sense. When amplitude ranged between 0 ° and 1.2°, the best visual comfort and the fastest image fusion speed could be achieved.