- electromagnetic radiation, visible spectrum
- consequences of placement of the eyes in the head
- different types of eye movements
- anatomy of the eye: location, structure, and function of parts of the eye
- particle vs wave description of light
- How light interacts with objects: absorption, reflectance, specular vs. diffuse
- the eye as an optical instrument: advantages and disadvantages of pinhole aperture, fixed-lens system, variable lens system
- Accommodation
- visual angle
- sources of imperfection in the visual image: chromatic abberation, spherical abberation, random variation in cornea and lens, light scatter, diffraction
- astigmatism, cataracts, myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia
- properties of photoreceptors: number, location, peak wavelength sensitivity, color vision, sensitivity to light intensity, acuity, light/dark adaptation
- how do photoreceptors signal the presence of light?
- difference between infant and adult retina
- retinal problems: retinitis pigmentosa, detached retina, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy
- effects of multiple sclerosis, glaucoma
Updated August 15, 2004.