Wavelength dependence of intraocular straylight

Exp Eye Res. 2006 Apr;82(4):688-92. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2005.09.007. Epub 2005 Nov 15.

Abstract

Wavelength dependence of retinal straylight has been a mystery since Stiles in 1929 [Stiles,W.S., 1929. The scattering theory of the effect of glare on the brightness difference threshold. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. (Biol.) 105, 131-41.] supposed it to have the strong Rayleigh type lambda(-4) dependence, typical for small particle light scattering, but which was never found. Using the accurate 'compensation comparison' approach, retinal straylight was measured from 625 to 457 nm. Subjects with a large variety of ocular pigmentation were included. Straylight was found to depend strongly on pigmentation of the eye, in addition to age. Young and well-pigmented eyes (young negroids) show nearly perfect lambda(-4) dependence. With less pigmentation (blue-eyed Caucasians), a red dominated component is added, negating the lambda(-4) dependence.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / physiology
  • Eye Color / physiology
  • Fixation, Ocular / physiology
  • Glare*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Retina / physiology*
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Visual Fields