Defocused contrast sensitivity function in peripheral vision

Adaptive optics visual simulators: a review of recent optical designs and applications [Invited]

In their pioneering work demonstrating measurement and full correction of the eye's optical aberrations, Liang, Williams and Miller, [JOSA A14, 2884 (1997)10.1364/JOSAA.14.002884] showed improvement in visual performance using adaptive optics (AO). Since then, AO visual simulators have been developed to explore the spatial limits to human vision and as platforms to test non-invasively optical corrections for presbyopia, myopia, or corneal irregularities. These applications have allowed new psychophysics bypassing the optics of the eye, ranging from studying the impact of the interactions of monochromatic and chromatic aberrations on vision to neural adaptation. Other applications address new paradigms of lens designs and corrections of ocular errors. The current paper describes a series of AO visual simulators developed in laboratories around the world, key applications, and current trends and challenges. As the field moves into its second quarter century, new available technologies and a solid reception by the clinical community promise a vigorous and expanding use of AO simulation in years to come.

Peripheral detection acuity for interference fringes and screen-based Gabor gratings

This study compared on-axis and peripheral detection acuities measured with interference fringes, that bypass eye optics, and with screen-based Gabor gratings combined with an adaptive optics system. Gabor gratings are sinusoidal gratings incorporated with a Gaussian envelope that attenuate spatial frequency broadening that occur at the window edge. The magnitude of the attenuation was varied. Peripheral detection acuities were always higher for interference fringes than for Gabor gratings. Less attenuated Gabors (with sharper edges) had higher acuities than more attenuated Gabors (with less sharp edges). Theoretical investigations indicated that the spatial frequency broadening occurring due to the sharp edge of the less attenuated Gabors contribute little to high detection grating acuity in the periphery, but that the lower attenuation provides a greater number of visible cycles which is of more benefit to detection than is the case on-axis.