Cite as:
Wienrich C, Müller-Plath G, 2011, "Visual search and eye-movements in patients with age-related macular degeneration" Perception 40 ECVP Abstract Supplement, page 168

Visual search and eye-movements in patients with age-related macular degeneration

C Wienrich, G Müller-Plath

Purpose: We conducted three visual search experiments to identify quantitative and qualitative differences in viewing behaviour between subjects with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and normal vision (control group). Method: In the first experiment, we varied the target-distractor similarity, the number of items, and the presence of the target. Visual search was investigated with RTs, errors, and modelling. In the second experiment, we analysed eye movements in a similar setting. In a third experiment, we used big reticules and two different fixation instructions in a letter reading task. Results: Subjects with AMD showed both different quantitative and different qualitative search behavior, although differences were usually subtle in the early stage of the disease. Independently of the kind of instruction, we found different fixation patterns in the letter reading task. Conclusion: The results indicated disease-specific search strategies for subject with AMD. In future research we will turn to the question of which of these strategies are useful in the everyday life of patients.

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