Modelling of orientation discrimination across the visual field

Abstract

In many visual tasks thresholds can be made equal across the visual field by increasing the size of peripherally presented stimuli by appropriate magnification. The parameter E2 represents the eccentricity at which foveal stimulus size must double in order to maintain performance equivalent to that at the fovea. We measured orientation discrimination for a set of line sizes at various eccentricities. Thresholds were successfully scaled by applying a scaling function estimated by a technique that requires no prior assumptions regarding the size of peripherally presented stimuli. E2 of 1.95 deg was found for orientation discrimination. From our results we were able to develop a single equation which predicts orientation discrimination thresholds for an average observer over a range of different eccentricities and line lengths.