The Effect of Breathing 100% Oxygen on Foveal Thresholds

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Abstract
This study examined the effects of breathing 100% oxygen at sea level on the luminance thresholds necessary for perception of red (642 nm), green (521 nm), blue (468 nm), and yellow (584 nm), and the chromatic and absolute thresholds associated with these dominant wavelengths. Using two highly trained observers, thresholds were measured for one target size and exposure duration by the method of constant stimuli. For the foveal thresholds investigated, no differences were found between the condition of breathing 100% oxygen and breathing normal room air at sea level. There is at least some physiological basis for thinking that vision may improve in a high oxygen environment. At the other extreme, breathing high concentrations of oxygen under pressure is known to degrade vision. Evidence relating to the visual effects of high oxygen concentrations is evaluated and conclusions are drawn with reference to the findings of this and other studies.

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