On a possible coalescence of rods with cones at absolute threshold

Year: 1973

Authors: Ronchi L., Molesini G., Cetica M.

Autors Affiliation: Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Largo E. Fermi 6, 50125 Firenze, Italy

Abstract: The luminance-time relation, at absolute threshold, in the peripheral retina, is found to depend on the spectral composition of the stimulus. This finding is unexpected, since, according to current ideas, the low scotopic vision is due exclusively to the rods. The question is set whether the cones may take part in the temporal process of the visual input, by virtue of a sort of coalescence, mediated through the coexistence of direct and indirect paths, in the same receptive field. In addition, the relation between the data recorded with white light and with monochromatic light is discussed.

Journal/Review:

Volume: 28(6)      Pages from: 956  to: 963

KeyWords: eye; visual perception; physiological optics