FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-19/10

Title and Subtitle: Laser Eye Protection and the Effect of Two Types of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) on Color Perception

Report Date: September 2019

Authors: Gildea KM, Jack D

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of laser eye protection (LEP) devices on color perception of aviation signal lighting. Aviation signal lighting utilizes two types of light emitting diodes (LEDs): 1) Single-die (SD) LEDs that produce only one color and 2) Red-Green-Blue (RGB) LEDs that create colors by mixing the RGB primaries. LEP glasses block colors that are commonly used in commercially available lasers.

Since many of these lasers emit in the same band as some LEDs, LEP glasses may block some emissions from LEDs as well and could interfere with accurate perception of aviation signal lighting. Twenty-three participants with normal color vision viewed SD and RGB LEDs with and without LEP glasses. Accuracy of color identification and reaction time were measured.

Results indicate that the effect of LEP glasses on color perception varies based on LED color and LED type. Implications for aviators are discussed.

Key Words: Laser eye protection, LEP, Light emitting diodes, LED, Aviation signal lighting, color vision, color perception

No. of Pages: 11