Expand this Topic clickable element to expand a topic
Skip to content
Optica Publishing Group

Optical and photoreceptor immaturities limit the spatial and chromatic vision of human neonates

Not Accessible

Your library or personal account may give you access

Abstract

We examine the contributions of preneural mechanisms, i.e., the optics of the eye and the aperture, spacing, and efficiency of foveal cones, to poor spatial and chromatic vision in human neonates. We do so by comparing the performances of ideal observers incorporating the characteristics of the optics and the foveal cones of adults and neonates. Our analyses show that many, but not all, of the differences between neonatal and adult contrast sensitivities and grating acuities can be explained by age-related changes in these factors. The analyses also predict differing growth curves for vernier and grating acuities. Finally, we demonstrate that preneural mechanisms constrain chromatic discrimination in human neonates and that discrimination failures may reflect poor visual efficiency rather than immature chromatic mechanisms per se.

© 1988 Optical Society of America

Full Article  |  PDF Article
More Like This
Peripheral spatial vision: limits imposed by optics, photoreceptors, and receptor pooling

Martin S. Banks, Allison B. Sekuler, and Stephen J. Anderson
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 8(11) 1775-1787 (1991)

Spectral sensitivity and chromatic discriminations in 3- and 7-week-old human infants

John E. Clavadetscher, Angela M. Brown, Corlene Ankrum, and Davida Y. Teller
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 5(12) 2093-2105 (1988)

Aging and luminance-adaptation effects on spatial contrast sensitivity

Michael E. Sloane, Cynthia Owsley, and Cheryl A. Jackson
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 5(12) 2181-2190 (1988)

Cited By

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Figures (13)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Figure files are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Tables (4)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article tables are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Select as filters


Select Topics Cancel
© Copyright 2024 | Optica Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved