Abstract
In this communication the nervous actions underlying vision are briefly discussed. These are the conduction of the impulses from the stimulated receptors by the afferent nerves to the visual centers in the cortex, and the immediate release of enhancing and inhibiting impulses which are conducted by the efferent nerves to the retina where they control the sensitivity of the receptors.
Normal vision is the result of a perfect balance of these actions. When the enhancing actions are very weak, or the inhibitory actions strongly developed, color defectiveness or blindness results. When the enhancing activities are predominant, anomalous trichromatic vision is produced. Both varieties of abnormal vision may comprise many types according to the number of primary sensations affected.
Comparative curves of normal and both kinds of abnormal vision have been obtained by typical observers which experimentally verify these principles.
It thus becomes possible to embrace all types of color vision under one theory of nervous action.
© 1929 Optical Society of America
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