Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

[Optical and physiological limits of wavefront-controlled keratectomy].

W Wesemann1

  • 1HFAK, Köln. wesemann@hfak.de

Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift Der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft
|June 9, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Theoretical human visual acuity is limited by retinal cone mosaic, not just pupil size. Practical visual acuity rarely exceeds 20/10 due to higher-order aberrations, even with corrective surgery.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

[New DIN and ISO norms for determination of visual acuity].

Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft·2019
Same author

[Changes in the prevalence of myopia can be derived from prescription data of spectacle lenses].

Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft·2019
Same author

[Prevalence of spectacle wearers in Germany : Clear increase from 1952-2014].

Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft·2018
Same author

[Analysis of spectacle lens prescriptions shows no increase of myopia in Germany from 2000 to 2015].

Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft·2017
Same author

[Contrast vision-definitions, conversions, and equivalence tables].

Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft·2016
Same author

[New DIN norms for determination of visual acuity].

Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft·2010

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Optical Physics
  • Human Physiology

Context:

  • Optical diffraction theory suggests potential for 20/3.5 visual acuity with large pupils (>6 mm).
  • However, practical visual acuity is limited by the retinal cone mosaic's scale.
  • Helmholtz-Hering model and anatomical data indicate a maximum human visual acuity around 20/10.

Purpose:

  • To explore the theoretical limits of human visual acuity.
  • To investigate the factors limiting practical visual acuity.
  • To evaluate the potential and limitations of correcting ocular aberrations.

Summary:

  • Theoretical visual acuity is achievable only under specific conditions not met in vivo.
  • Retinal cone density is a primary biological limitation to visual acuity.
  • Higher-order aberrations, measurable by Hartmann-Shack aberrometry, further limit visual performance.
  • Customized corneal ablation can partially correct these aberrations.
  • Complete correction is impossible due to uncorrectable aberrations like chromatic aberration and time-varying effects.

Impact:

  • Understanding these limitations refines expectations for visual performance.
  • Highlights the constraints on achieving supernormal vision through surgical correction.
  • Provides insights into the interplay between optics, anatomy, and visual function.

Related Experiment Videos