ABSTRACT
The human eye–brain system is complex, but there are a few key aspects that are relevant to the optimization of displays for medical image interpretation. In radiology, dark adaptation is influenced by the overall ambient light settings, the display luminance, and the image on the display. There are a number of other physical display parameters that have been shown to impact diagnostic accuracy and/or visual search, stressing the need to properly optimize them for interpretation of clinical images. The display is clearly only part of the reading environment and its optimization only one piece of the greater picture. External factors such as ambient room lights also play a large role in the optimization of the more global reading environment. In the film environment, the problem was either minimal or non-existent, as there were no input devices and reading sessions did not last for hours upon hours, as the films on the view box or alternator had to be changed periodically.
