|
|||||||
|
||||||||
For further information, please contact:
Catherine O'Brien, Executive Officer, Applied Vision Research Centre, The Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Vision Sciences, City University, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB.| Email: | Catherine.O-Brien.1@city.ac.uk |
| Tel: | (020) 7040 8331 |
| Intl: | +44 20 7040 8331 |
| Fax: | (020) 7040 8355 |
| Intl: | +44 20 7040 8355 |
The two-day event is aimed at those who wish to understand how pre-receptor absorption of light in the eye affects various aspects of visual performance. The key absorbers are the macular pigment (MP) and the lens. One aim of this symposium is to review the latest research on the genetics, spectral characteristics and retinal distribution of the MP. The MP is found in diurnal, primate species when vision spans a large range of ambient illumination. Its spectral absorption properties can in principle reduce both the effects of chromatic aberration and scattered blue light. More importantly, the MP may offer protection against degenerative diseases of the macula. The formation of lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) causes the diffuse component of light reflected from the RPE to increase with significant repercussions for the quality of vision. The abnormal functioning of the RPE can trigger a series of events that lead to degenerative diseases and loss of vision. MP deficiency has been associated with increased amount of lipofuscin and loss and shape distortion of RPE cells. In spite of such findings considerable controversy remains as to the exact role MP plays in visual performance and in maintaining normal retinal functions.
Recent improvement in experimental techniques make it possible to assess more accurately the effects increased absorption of blue light may have on contrast acuity in normal vision, the detection of scattered light and red-green and yellow-blue colour discrimination both at normal photopic light levels and in the "twilight" zone, when rod photoreceptors are also involved. Important findings have emerged from recent studies that investigated the effects of increased macular pigment optical density or the absorption of natural or artificial lenses in the blue region of the spectrum andthe corresponding effects on visual performance. This symposium is therefore timely and appropriate to review such findings and to debate the "blue"-light hazard in relation to visual performance and the health of the retina.
The symposium includes selected demonstrations on measurement of spectral absorption characteristics of filters in the eye. Both objective (multi-wavelength laser scanning ophthalmoscope images of the retina) and flicker-photometric based techniques will be demonstrated including the Moreland motion anomaloscope adapted for MP measurements.
£50 / day registration* (normal rate)
£25 / per day (student rate)
*25 % reduction available to CG GB members. The fees include
lunch and refreshments.
Registration will be required for non-presenters at this meeting. The deadline for registration is Monday 13th November 2006. To register please use the Registration form.
The meeting programme is now available.
City University Home | Applied Vision Research Centre | The Colour Group (GB)
avrc@city.ac.uk - last updated 9 November 2006.
