Abstract
Discomfort glare is an important factor influencing appraisal for lighting environment. Unified Glare Rating (UGR) which has been proposed by CIE is one of the formula for evaluating discomfort glare. Position index is an important factor in the UGR formula. Position index was proposed by Guth in 1949. It has been used until present limiting upper visual field. Lower visual field has different sensation of brightness in comparing with upper visual field. Therefore, it is necessary to propose position index about lower visual field. The objective of this study is to investigate the brightness sensation in upper and lower visual field. First, the visual field was measured on the self-made Glare Tester. Second, luminance of the Borderline between Comfort and Discomfort (BCD) was measured on the glare Tester. Circular sources of brightness were located at various angular distances from the line of vision along five meridians, $0^{\circ}$, $45{\circ}$, $90{\circ}$, $-45{\circ}$, $-90{\circ}$. The size of the glare source is 0.0011sr. The luminance of the surrounding field, which extended over the entire visual field, was maintained $34ccd/m^2$. Ten subjects aged from 25 to 29 were participated in the experiment. The results show that the luminance of BCD on the line of vision is $4337cd/m^2$ and the glare sensation of the lower visual field is more sensitive than the upper visual field.
