Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Purpose
To determine whether people with central field loss (CFL) from macular degeneration have improved ability to recognize a particularly difficult spatial configuration embedded in noise, the peripherally-viewed 'ladder contour'. The visibility of these configuration has been linked to general contour integration ability and crowding limitations in peripheral vision.Methods
We used a trial-based yes-no task. CFL patients and normally-sighted controls performed the task, looking for ladder contours embedded in a field of randomly oriented Gabor patches, at a range of stimulus presentation times (varying stimulus difficulty). Viewing eccentricity in CFL patients was set by their preferred retinal loci (PRLs) and matched artificially in the control group. The contours were presented so as to be tangent to the CFL region, given a patient's PRL location.Results
CFL and normally-sighted groups performed similarly on the task. The only significant determinant of performance was the viewing eccentricity.Conclusions
CFL patients do not seem to develop any improved ability to recognize ladder contours with their parafoveal retina, which suggests that there is no underlying improvement in contour integration or reduction in crowding limitations in the region of the PRL despite extended daily use.
SUBMITTER: Haun AM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4501758 | biostudies-literature | 2015
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
PloS one 20150714 7
<h4>Purpose</h4>To determine whether people with central field loss (CFL) from macular degeneration have improved ability to recognize a particularly difficult spatial configuration embedded in noise, the peripherally-viewed 'ladder contour'. The visibility of these configuration has been linked to general contour integration ability and crowding limitations in peripheral vision.<h4>Methods</h4>We used a trial-based yes-no task. CFL patients and normally-sighted controls performed the task, look ...[more]