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Vision

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Vision is the result of light being detected and transduced into neural signals by the retina of the eye. This information is then further analyzed and interpreted by the brain. First, light enters the front of the eye and is focused by the cornea and lens onto the retina—a thin sheet of neural tissue lining the back of the eye. Because of refraction through the convex lens of the eye, images are projected onto the retina upside-down and reversed.

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At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...

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Light enters the eye through the cornea, a transparent, dome-shaped surface covering the surface of the eyeball that helps to direct and focus incoming light. This light is then channeled toward the pupil, an adjustable opening whose size is controlled by the iris. The iris, a pigmented muscle, regulates the amount of light entering the eye by contracting or dilating the pupil, thereby ensuring optimal light levels for clear vision.
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Visual agnosia is a condition characterized by the inability to recognize visually presented objects despite having normal vision. For instance, a person with visual agnosia can describe the shape and color of an object but cannot identify or name it. This impairment does not affect their visual field, acuity, color vision, brightness discrimination, language, or memory. An example of this condition in a social setting is someone at a dinner party asking for "that silver thing with a round end"...

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Color perception begins in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Two main theories explain how colors are seen: the trichromatic theory and the opponent-process theory. The trichromatic theory, proposed by Thomas Young in 1802 and extended by Hermann von Helmholtz in 1852, suggests that color vision is based on three types of cone receptors in the retina. These cones are sensitive to different but overlapping ranges of wavelengths corresponding to red, blue, and green.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Stimulus-specific Cortical Visual Evoked Potential Morphological Patterns

Stimulus-specific Cortical Visual Evoked Potential Morphological Patterns

Published on: May 12, 2019

A lightning strike to the head causing a visual cortex defect with simple and complex visual hallucinations.

Ingo Kleiter¹, Ralf Luerding, Gerhard Diendorfer

¹Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.

BMJ Case Reports

|July 8, 2011

Summary

A lightning strike caused visual field defects and hallucinations in a mountaineer. Subsequent neuropsychological testing revealed temporal lobe dysfunction, highlighting the neurological impact of lightning injuries.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Ophthalmology
Psychiatry

Background:

Lightning strikes can cause severe neurological and physical trauma.
Understanding the long-term effects of lightning injuries is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe a unique case of a lightning strike survivor.
To detail the neurological and psychological sequelae following lightning trauma.
To demonstrate the utility of lightning detection networks in case analysis.

Main Methods:

Case report of a 23-year-old mountaineer.
Clinical examination including ophthalmological assessment.
Neuropsychological testing and electroencephalography (EEG).
Retrospective analysis using the European Cooperation for Lightning Detection (EUCLID) network.

Main Results:

The patient sustained central visual field defects and bilateral tympanic membrane ruptures.
Post-coma, she experienced visual hallucinations and deficits in visual detection and non-verbal learning.
EEG indicated right temporal lobe dysfunction.
A delayed psychological reaction included nightmares and depressive syndrome.

Conclusions:

Lightning strikes can lead to complex neurological and psychological impairments.
Temporal lobe dysfunction is a potential consequence of direct head trauma from lightning.
Early and delayed symptoms require comprehensive assessment and management.
Advanced meteorological data can aid in understanding lightning-related incidents.