Mesopic vision
Mesopic Vision
Mesopic vision (/mɛˈsɒpɪk/; from Greek mesos "middle" + ops "eye") refers to the intermediate lighting conditions between photopic (daylight) and scotopic (nighttime) vision. It occurs at lighting levels that allow both the rod and cone photoreceptors in the eye to contribute to visual perception.
Etymology
The term "mesopic" comes from the Greek words mesos, meaning middle, and ops, meaning eye. This is reflective of the fact that mesopic vision occurs in intermediate light conditions, between the bright light conditions of photopic vision and the low light conditions of scotopic vision.
Physiology
In mesopic vision, both the rod and cone cells in the retina are active. Rod cells, which are more sensitive to light and motion but not color, contribute to vision in low light conditions. Cone cells, which are less sensitive to light but can perceive color, contribute to vision in bright light conditions. In mesopic conditions, both types of cells contribute to vision, allowing for a combination of color and light sensitivity.
Related Terms
- Photopic vision: Vision under well-lit conditions, which is mediated primarily by cone cells.
- Scotopic vision: Vision in low-light conditions, which is mediated primarily by rod cells.
- Purkinje effect: The shift in color perception as lighting conditions move from photopic to scotopic, passing through the mesopic stage.
- Adaptation (eye): The process by which the eye adjusts to different levels of light.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mesopic vision
- Wikipedia's article - Mesopic vision
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