Abstract

Threshold sensitivity was studied in six observers on one vertical and three horizontal lines running through an area in the nasal visual field of one eye which corresponds to the blind-spot region of the other eye. The test fields were squares of 1° angular subtense on a side and were presented for 0.04 sec. Thresholds were found to be lower in this region than at retinal points immediately outside, yielding a mean increase in sensitivity of approximately 0.25 log unit. The findings are discussed in regard to density and innervation of retinal elements, cortical representation, and the possibility of compensation for lack of sensitivity in the blind spot in order to maintain uniform brightness in an integrated binocular field of vision.

© 1963 Optical Society of America

Retinal Sensitivity in the Region of the Blind Spot*

Ernst Wolf and Anthony J. Morandi
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 52(7) 806-812 (1962)

Uniocular and Binocular Scotopic Responsiveness of the Peripheral Retina*

Ernst Wolf and Michael J. Zigler
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 49(4) 394-398 (1959)

Effects of Uniocular and Binocular Excitation of the Peripheral Retina with Test Fields of Various Shapes on Binocular Summation*

Ernst Wolf and Michael J. Zigler
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 53(10) 1199-1205 (1963)

Sensitivity of the Blind-Spot Region to Stimulation by Flicker*

Ernst Wolf and Anthony J. Morandi
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 55(8) 1024-1028 (1965)

Excitation of the Peripheral Retina with Coincident and Disparate Test Fields*

Ernst Wolf and Michael J. Zigler
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 55(11) 1517-1519 (1965)