# Effects on Stereopsis Under Different Lighting Conditions

## TL;DR

This study found that certain artificial lighting conditions, like sodium vapour and incandescent lights, impair depth perception more than LED or CFL lighting.

## Contribution

The study empirically compares the impact of various artificial lighting types on human stereopsis for the first time.

## Key findings

- Sodium vapour and incandescent lighting significantly worsen stereoacuity compared to LED and CFL.
- LED and CFL lighting do not significantly affect stereoacuity compared to baseline.
- No significant difference was found between sodium vapour and incandescent lighting effects.

## Abstract

Stereopsis is the ability to perceive depth through binocular vision. Artificial lighting conditions play a significant role in visual performance, yet their specific effects on stereopsis remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different light sources on stereopsis.

Forty young adults with normal binocular vision and stereoacuity better than 40 arcseconds were included. Participants were exposed to four lighting conditions [light-emitting diode (LED), incandescent, sodium vapour, and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL)] with illumination levels set at 400 lux. Stereoacuity was measured using the Randot stereo test under these lighting conditions, with the order of exposure randomised for each participant.

The median stereopsis values for CFL and LED lighting were 25 arcseconds, while those for incandescent and sodium vapour lamps were 30 arcseconds. Stereoacuity was significantly worse under sodium vapour and incandescent lighting compared to CFL and LED conditions (p < 0.05). However, the stereopsis values for CFL and LED did not significantly differ from the baseline (p > 0.05). No significant differences were found between the sodium vapour and incandescent lamps (p > 0.05), nor between the CFL and LED lamps (p > 0.05).

Sodium vapour and incandescent lighting conditions significantly impair stereopsis, while CFL and LED lighting conditions do not adversely affect stereopsis.