Project Title:

Relevance Of Visual Accomodation For Performance In Spacecraft

12.02-5090
Project Title:Relevance Of Visual Accomodation For Performance In Spacecraft
Company:Essex Corporation
Orlando, FL 32803
Principal Investigator:Kennedy, Robert S.

Abstract:

"Dark focus" is defined as the resting state of visual accomodation yet two general
misconceptions exist.  Firts, that the resting point is at optical infinity, and
secondly, that the eye accomodates accurately.  Visual performances required in space
entail continuously changing viewing distances and to allow crew members to perform
routinely accomodation changes need to be assessed.  When a person is focused at
other than the target distance, seeing can be degraded.  Conditions in spacecraft
(space adaptation sysdrome, protracted confinement) can be stressful, thus could
influence autonoic nervous system activity.  We propose to develop an accurate, reliable,
and portable test of accomodation which is spatially and temporall ocncise in order
to be used aboard spacecraft.  In Phase I we will develop and test three different
methods of measuring accommodation, including dark focus, in terms of reliability,
stability, sensitivity, and feasibility.