This research project will develop a commercially viable instrument to accurately and reliably measure discomfort glare, a problem reported by certain workers and patients. Complaints of glare abound with VDT operators and is an important issue in occupational medicine. Certain refractive surgical procedures and newer intraocular implants have created glare problems, some of which appear to be associated with discomfort glare. These glare issues are important to visual comfort and performance. A contemporary understanding and measurement of discomfort glare is crucial. The discomfort glare tester (DGT) will provide an occupational and clinical measure of discomfort glare that is not available. The novel aspect of the DGT is that it incorporates tests that measure discomfort glare independently of disability glare. As examples, the DGT will provide a measure of discomfort glare which relates to the light from luminaries and vehicle headlights. Furthermore, the DGT will measure individual discomfort glare sensitivity useful for the prescription of tinted lenses, another commercial application. Specific aims for Phase I are to:(1) determine if the test system is valid,(2) measure the reliability of the DGT, and(3) determine the specificity and sensitivity of the system. Phase II will involve the development of a commercially viable discomfort glare tester for use in large population data collection, where applicable to occupational and clinical problems.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:The research will develop a commercially viable testing system which will accurately and reliably assess discomfort glare for occupational and clinical glare problems. Phase I research will develop and validate the testing system methodology. The goal of Phase II will be to use the testing system for large population data norms for discomfort glare and quantify individual occupational and clinical discomfort glare problems in a manner suitable for commercial applications.National Eye Institute (NEI)
