Image formation by the crystalline lens and eye of the rainbow trout

The image of a distant unresolved point (point image or PI) and modulation transfer function (MTF) of the eye and lens of the trout were recorded with high spatial (0.3 micron) and dynamic (4096 grey levels) resolution for various entrance aperture sizes and focal positions in monochromatic light, and in broadband light simulating sunlight absorbed by a retinal cone pigment. The PI is irregular, with streaks, wisps and speckle, as a result of lens structural irregularity and diffraction of light scattered within the lens and cornea. Maximum diameter of a diffraction-limited aperture area of the eye is about 0.3 mm. Axially spaced multiple foci are caused by irregular and discontinuous zonal spherical aberration. Lens substance dispersion causes strong longitudinal chromatic aberration, resulting in a broadband PI with concentric coloured haloes. Incident linearly polarized light is slightly depolarized in the PI. The nature of the image is discussed relative to lens and cornea structure, optical modelling and vision. Human subjective entoptic phenomena analogous to those observed objectively in the trout are described.