Assessing optimal colour and illumination to facilitate reading: an analysis of print size

Abstract

Individuals with low vision often seek low vision rehabilitation services due to difficulty with reading. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Low vision rehabilitation specialists generally prescribe assistive magnification devices and/or provide behavioural training (e.g., preferred retinal locus or eccentric viewing training) aimed at improving reading speed. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Assistive devices often improve the reading speed and ability of those with visual impairments by modifying print size and lighting

New insights into visually impaired patients' preferred reading illumination and home‐based reading speed with new task‐lighting

“…The main data collection modality used here to evaluate reading was the novel, home‐based telephone assessment of sustained silent reading. Previous studies of preferred lighting with the LuxIQ found improvements in reading speed with single sentences, 9,13 which may differ from prolonged reading for longer texts, 14,17 such as books or articles for pleasure, educational or vocational purposes, that would be captured more accurately by the sustained silent reading test used here. Similar to the finding of high comprehension scores within this study, another recent experiment by the authors of this paper that used a telephone‐based remote administration of the sustained silent reading test for visually impaired participants found that their comprehension question scores were high, thus supporting that the participants read the test materials in both studies.…”

“…In a previous study that evaluated various modalities to assess optimal lighting conditions and print size, the LuxIQ was most effective at improving reading speeds for normal‐sized text (1.0 M) and smaller print in visually impaired older adults compared with an Apple iPad (http://apple.com) with display modifications for intensity, hue or colour filter (as part of its standard accessibility features), or a mobile application (app) for the Playbulb LED smart bulb (http://playbulb.com). 12,13 With societal transition from typical hard‐copy printed materials for books and magazines, towards electronic means of reading using computers, smartphones or tablets (e.g., iPad tablets or Amazon Kindle (http://amazon.com) e‐readers), it will be important to study how the LuxIQ/2 lighting assessment relates to preferences for screen brightness and hue settings from electronic devices, and how reading speed might differ between electronic and hard‐copy materials with optimal lighting.…”

“…Previous studies of white light preferences with the LuxIQ used reading tests that involved reading single sentences of varying text sizes aloud. 8,[10][11][12][13] However, these tests do not represent typical reading performed silently over a sustained period with a single, normal-sized text.…”

“…Based on the existing literature, it remains unknown whether white light preferences determined in a laboratory or clinic setting will translate to improved reading outcomes at home with a new desk lamp. Previous studies of white light preferences with the LuxIQ used reading tests that involved reading single sentences of varying text sizes aloud 8,10–13 . However, these tests do not represent typical reading performed silently over a sustained period with a single, normal‐sized text.…”

“…Similar to lighting, coloured filter assessments are traditionally performed using a trial‐and‐error process. A newer method could involve the second‐generation lighting assessment device, namely the LuxIQ/2, which has added features to determine systematically coloured filters and tint preference, and is currently used by occupational therapists and optometrists within the vision rehabilitation clinical community 13 . However, a recent review of the literature in PubMed (http://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) indicated that a study of preferences for coloured filters to be used for reading in low‐vision patients, as determined with the LuxIQ/2, has not been published.…”