Investigation of the Optimum Display Luminance of an LCD Screen under Different Ambient Illuminances in the Evening

Abstract

Ambient illuminance and screen luminance have a significant influence on the visual fatigue and visual performance associated with the use of computers. The current study was conducted to investigate optimal screen luminance under different ambient illuminances and fit a curve of the optimum luminance of LCD screens under evening illumination. Thirty-three participants were assigned to rate screen brightness, visual comfort with screen luminance, satisfaction with ambient illuminance and visual fatigue under six screen luminance levels (3.87, 21.47, 42.74, 64.12, 84.77 and 106.7 cd/m2) combined with five ambient illuminance levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 lx) in the evening. The results showed that optimum LCD screen luminance increased with increasing ambient illuminance. Moreover, ambient illuminance and screen luminance levels should be in the range of 13.08–62.16 lx and 20.63–75.15 cd/m2, respectively, to obtain the optimal subjective feelings of visual fatigue and visual comfort during the evening.