[Spectral absorption characteristics of ocular tissues]

We studied the ocular spectral characteristics of monkey and rabbit eyes in the range of 300 to 900 nm. Measurements were performed on dissected specimens of the cornea, lens, vitreous, sensory retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plus choroid. Xanthophyll and monkey blood were also studied. Components of the ocular media showed high absorption over the ultraviolet range. The absorption curve of the sensory retina was similar to that of the ocular media. RPE plus choroid showed high absorption over the whole spectral range, with gradual decrease in absorption above 600 nm. The specific absorption curve of both xanthophyll and blood became manifest only when diluted to more than 1:20,000 in the former and to more than 1:100 in the latter. The spectral absorption of the ocular tissue thus became specific only when the thickness or density of the tissue was within a certain range.