Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Measuring Spatially- and Directionally-varying Light Scattering from Biological Material
Published on: May 20, 2013
Wavelength dependence of the Stiles-Crawford effect explained by perception of backscattered light from the choroid
T J Berendschot1, J van de Kraats, D van Norren
1Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. tosb@isi.uu.nl
Abstract:
To explain the wavelength dependence of the directional sensitivity of human foveal cones (Stiles-Crawford I effect) we extended an existing fundus reflectance model for calculation of the total absorption by visual pigment. We took experimental data from literature for both the psychophysical and the optical Stiles-Crawford effect and optimized parameters to fit the experimental data. The wavelength dependence of the Stiles-Crawford effect could be well described with the geometrical optics model. Essential elements are self-screening and the inclusion of backscattered choroidal light for perception.
Related Concept Videos
Vision
Interference and Diffraction
The de Broglie Wavelength
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Beer–Lambert Law
Anatomy of the Eyeball
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

