Abstract
THE lack of correlation between the absolute light threshold of the dark-adapted eye and the 'ability to see in the dark' has been currently attributed to psychological factors; but little attention has been given to the behaviour of contrast sensitivity, despite the fact that vision at low illumination depends largely on the perception of differences in brightness. In particular, the possibility of variations in contrast sensitivity independent of variations in the absolute threshold does not seem to have been investigated, although the occurrence of such variations seems likely from the observations of Edmund and others1,2.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Edmund, C., and Clemmesen, S., "On Deficiency of Vitamin A and Visual Dysaptation" (Copenhagen, 1936).
Frandsen, H., Acta Ophthalm. (Copenhagen), Suppl. 4 (1935).
Godding, E. W., Proc. Roy. Soc. Med., 38, 155 (1945).
Pollak, H., Trans. Ophth. Society U.K., 63, 69 (1944).
Craik, K. J. W., and Vernon, M. D., Brit. J. Psych., 32, 206 (1942).
Livingston, P. L., Lancet, ii, 33 (1944).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
POLLAK, H., WILSON, D. Absolute and Differential Light Sensitivity of the Dark-adapting Eye. Nature 156, 299–300 (1945). https://doi.org/10.1038/156299a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/156299a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.