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Spatial and temporal limits of vision in the achromat.
Author(s) -
Hess R F,
Nordby K
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.1986.sp015981
Subject(s) - scotopic vision , photopic vision , achromatic lens , spatial frequency , optics , psychophysics , sensitivity (control systems) , physics , summation , temporal resolution , contrast (vision) , detection threshold , computer science , biology , retina , neuroscience , electronic engineering , stimulation , perception , engineering , real time computing
Threshold detection for sine‐wave grating stimuli of varying spatial and temporal frequency was used to investigate the nature of spatial and temporal post‐receptoral sensitivity in the typical, complete achromat. Threshold spatial and temporal sensitivities under low photopic conditions show no evidence of cone function. The abrupt fall‐off in sensitivity is consistent with known psychophysical and electrophysiological measures of rod saturation. Threshold spatial and temporal sensitivities under scotopic conditions are identical in form and absolute sensitivity to that of the normal scotopic system. Spatial and temporal acuity measurements substantiate the above conclusions based on contrast sensitivity. We conclude that the typical and complete achromat possesses only a normal functioning rod post‐receptoral mechanism.