Variations in photoreceptor directionally across the central retina

Cones show a differential sensitivity to light coming from different portions of the pupil, typically being most sensitive to light from the center of the pupil. We measured the directional properties of the cones across the central 6 deg of the retina, using an optical imaging technique. We find that the cones in the center of the fovea have the broadest tuning. The width of the angular tuning changes rapidly from 0 deg to 1 deg retinal eccentricity, with cones at 1 deg being much more narrowly tuned that the cones in the center of the fovea. Directional tuning of the cones remains relatively constant from 1 deg to 3 deg retinal eccentricity. Receptoral disarray contributes minimally to the measured directional properties of the foveal cones, and there is no evidence of asymmetry between horizontal and vertical retinal locations. There are only small differences among the five subjects in the change in angular tuning of the cones with retinal location. We find that at the foveal center the directional tuning of the cones is limited by the diameter of the cone apertures.