Part 1: Color Perception and the Retina

The retina of the eye is formed by a layer of cells lining the inside of the eye. It is viewable through the pupil of the eye and is the object of interest when an optometrist examines the eye with a light. Along with the many blood vessels running through the layer, two discrete spots are discernible from this vantage point: the fovea and the blind spot, or optic disk (See Figures 1a, b). The fovea is also referred to as the focal point. It is this slightly indented region, containing high concentrations of cone cells, upon which the lens focuses entering light. All other areas of the retina are responsible for the perception of peripheral vision (1. Kolb, 2005, 2. Silverthorn, 1998).

The blind spot gets its name from the fact that, due to the lack of either photoreceptor (rods or cones), it is literally an area of the retina incapable of detecting light. This is the area in which the long axons of ganglion cells, which carry light information from all parts of the retina, converge to form the optic… Read the full article...

Tags: color, perception