Computational model guides lighting design to improve color discrimination in aging eyes

Researchers from Fudan University in China have developed a computational model that considers the effects of aging on our eyes' ability to distinguish colors. This model could aid in creating lighting designs that facilitate color perception for older adults while maintaining the normal appearance for those with typical color vision.

As people age, the lens inside their eyes becomes yellower and absorbs more short-wavelength light, making it difficult to differentiate between similar colors. The researchers incorporated these age-related changes into a model that can guide the spectrum of wavelengths used for white lighting to facilitate color perception for older adults.

In a study conducted with a group of adult volunteers aged 70 and above, the researchers used the model to design lighting spectra that cater to the aging eyes' color perception. In comparison to a conventional LED-simulated D50 daylight reference of the same color temperature, the resulting lighting significantly improved color discrimination for the older adults while still maintaining a natural appearance.

The optimized lighting spectra could be applied in family homes and care facilities, supporting older users while adhering to conventional lighting color-quality requirements. The researchers suggest that this approach could be extended to other applications, such as optimizing lighting for displays or other groups with specific spectral sensitivity.

However, further testing and validation are required in everyday settings and across various lighting conditions and age groups before wider adoption.