Visual Limitation “Crowding” Actually Improves Vision


A visual phenomenon that occurs when there is an over-crowding of information for our eyes to take in would normally be seen as a limitation as things go unnoticed. Thus making the visual problem universal in everyone as our visual pictures are nearly always crowded with objects. However, a mathematical model has been created by Dr Frans Cornelissen alongside Professor Jos Roerdink and Dr Ronald van den Berg which suggests that it isn’t necessarily a limitation but could provide the answer to developing tools to help children who suffer from dyslexia.

To demonstrate crowding, Dr. Cornelissen places a cross in the centre of a page with an 8 and E at either side. Whilst looking at the cross in the centre of the page, people will be able to see and process the E and 8. However, he then introduces more and more digits and letters onto the page so visually everything is running into one another and the E and 8 can no longer be distinguished by our eyes. Nothing has changed in the E and the 8 but our brain is visually limited when trying to process all of this information. Transfer this to everyday life and our eyes will constantly be put under this kind of visual swamping, meaning things are left unrecognised in our field of vision; our brains will instead just pick out what they feel is most important.

Thus, Dr. Cornelissen’s study shows how this isn’t always a limitation as when we look at a singular letter on the page, like the cross, 8 and E they will be a bit blurred; but when more objects are introduced the edges of these letters become much more clearly defined. Thus, crowding strengthens objects in order to distinguish the important information from the unnecessary. Further tests do need conducting in order to entirely establish just how this strengthening process works but Dr. Cornelissen appears confident that this first mathematical model to be created could provide not just fundamental understanding of how the brain works but practical solutions for people with things such as dyslexia. He proposes that crowding will differ from people with normal visual sight to people suffering from things like dyslexia; meaning by analysing and assessing this the correct way to present information to dyslexic patients could be found.

17th February 2010

<<<more eye health news


Laser Eye Surgery Enquiry Form

Complete this form if you would like information about laser eye surgery including costs & suitablity.