Measuring ocular aberrations in the peripheral visual field using Hartmann-Shack aberrometry

We have used the Hartmann-Shack technique previously to measure ocular aberrations along the horizontal meridian of the visual field. This requires considerable modifications from the technique for measuring the aberrations corresponding to the fovea. We now further develop the technique so that it can be used for any meridian of the visual field. Allowance is made for any auxiliary optics placed in front of the eye to compensate for the limited range of the Hartmann-Shack technique and for the case where aberrations are estimated at a wavelength other than the measuring wavelength. Zernike wave aberrations are converted to peripheral refractions. Examples are presented showing the developments, and we discuss change in wave aberrations when converting from a circular to an elliptical pupil.     

Hartmann-Shack technique and refraction across the horizontal visual field

We compared refractions across the horizontal visual field, based on different analyses of wave aberration obtained with a Hartmann-Shack instrument. The wave aberrations had been determined for 6-mm-diameter pupils up to at least the sixth Zernike order in five normal subjects [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 19, 2180 (2002)]. The polynomials were converted into refractions based on 6-mm pupils and second-order Zernike aberrations (6 mm/2nd order), 3-mm pupils and second-order aberrations (3 mm/2nd order), 1-mm pupils and second-order aberrations (1 mm/2nd order), and 6-mm pupils with both second- and fourth-order aberrations (6 mm/4th order). The 3-mm/2nd-order and 6-mm/2nd-order refractions differed by as much as 0.9 D in mean sphere on axis, but the differences reduced markedly toward the edges of the visual field. The cylindrical differences between these two analyses were small at the center of the visual field (<0.3 D) but increased into the periphery to be greater than 1.0 D for some subjects. Much smaller differences in mean sphere and cylinder were found when 3-mm/2nd-order refractions and either the 1-mm/2nd-order refractions or the 6-mm/4th-order refractions were compared. The results suggest that, for determining refractions based on wave aberration data with large pupils, similar results occur by either restricting the analysis to second-order Zernike aberrations with a smaller pupil such as 3 mm or using both second- and fourth-order Zernike aberrations. Since subjective refraction is largely independent of the pupil size under photopic conditions, objective refractions based on either of these analyses may be the most useful.     

Anterior corneal and internal contributions to peripheral aberrations of human eyes

Anterior corneal and internal component contributions to overall peripheral aberrations of five human eyes were determined, based on corneal topography and overall aberration measurements. Anterior corneal position and orientation (tilt) were referenced to the line of sight. Ray tracing was performed through the anterior cornea for 6-mm-diameter pupils at angles out to 40 degrees in both the temporal and the nasal visual fields. In general, both component and overall Zernike aberrations were greater for the nasal than for the temporal visual field. In general, the anterior corneal aberration components were considerably higher than the overall aberrations across the visual field and were balanced to a considerable degree by the internal ocular aberration components. The component and overall levels of Zernike third-order aberrations showed linear trends away from the fixation axis, and the component levels of Zernike fourth-order aberrations showed quadratic trends away from the fixation axis. The second-order, but not higher-order, aberration components were susceptible to the choice of image radius of curvature, while disregarding corneal position and orientation affected second- and higher-order aberration components.     

Calculated impact of higher-order monochromatic aberrations on retinal image quality in a population of human eyes

We calculated the impact of higher-order aberrations on retinal image quality and the magnitude of the visual benefit expected from their correction in a large population of human eyes. Wave aberrations for both eyes of 109 normal subjects and 4 keratoconic patients were measured for 3-, 4-, and 5.7-mm pupils with a Shack-Hartmann sensor. Retinal image quality was estimated by means of the modulation transfer function (MTF) in white light. The visual benefit was calculated as the ratio of the MTF when the monochromatic higher-order aberrations are corrected to the MTF corresponding to the best correction of defocus and astigmatism. On average, the impact of the higher-order aberrations for a 5.7-mm pupil in normal eyes is similar to an equivalent defocus of approximately 0.3 D. The average visual benefit for normal eyes at 16 c/deg is approximately 2.5 for a 5.7-mm pupil and is negligible for small pupils (1.25 for a 3-mm pupil). The benefit varies greatly among eyes, with some normal eyes showing almost no benefit and others a benefit higher than 4 at 16 c/deg across a 5.7-mm pupil. The benefit for keratoconic eyes is much larger. The benefit at 16 c/deg is 12 and 3 for 5.7- and 3-mm pupils, respectively, averaged across four keratoconics. These theoretical benefits could be realized in normal viewing conditions but only under specific conditions.     

Calculated impact of higher-order monochromatic aberrations on retinal image quality in a population of human eyes.

We calculated the impact of higher-order aberrations on retinal image quality and the magnitude of the visual benefit expected from their correction in a large population of human eyes. Wave aberrations for both eyes of 109 normal subjects and 4 keratoconic patients were measured for 3-, 4-, and 5.7-mm pupils with a Shack-Hartmann sensor. Retinal image quality was estimated by means of the modulation transfer function (MTF) in white light. The visual benefit was calculated as the ratio of the MTF when the monochromatic higher-order aberrations are corrected to the MTF corresponding to the best correction of defocus and astigmatism. On average, the impact of the higher-order aberrations for a 5.7-mm pupil in normal eyes is similar to an equivalent defocus of approximately 0.3 D. The average visual benefit for normal eyes at 16 c/deg is approximately 2.5 for a 5.7-mm pupil and is negligible for small pupils (1.25 for a 3-mm pupil). The benefit varies greatly among eyes, with some normal eyes showing almost no benefit and others a benefit higher than 4 at 16 c/deg across a 5.7-mm pupil. The benefit for keratoconic eyes is much larger. The benefit at 16 c/deg is 12 and 3 for 5.7- and 3-mm pupils, respectively, averaged across four keratoconics. These theoretical benefits could be realized in normal viewing conditions but only under specific conditions.     

Mechanism of compensation of aberrations in the human eye

We studied the mechanism of compensation of aberrations within the young human eye by using experimental data and advanced ray-tracing modeling. Corneal and ocular aberrations along with the alignment properties (angle kappa, lens tilt, and decentration) were measured in eyes with different refractive errors. Predictions from individualized ray-tracing optical models were compared with the actual measurements. Ocular spherical aberration was, in general, smaller than corneal spherical aberration without relation to refractive error. However, horizontal coma compensation was found to be significantly larger for hyperopic eyes where angle kappa tended to also be larger. We propose a simple analytical model of the relationship between the corneal coma compensation effect with the field angle and corneal and crystalline shape factors. The actual shape factors corresponded approximately to the optimum shapes that automatically provide this coma compensation. We showed that the eye behaves as an aplanatic optical system, an optimized design solution rendering stable retinal image quality for different ocular geometries.     

Adaptive optics binocular visual simulator to study stereopsis in the presence of aberrations

A binocular adaptive optics visual simulator has been devised for the study of stereopsis and of binocular vision in general. The apparatus is capable of manipulating the aberrations of each eye separately while subjects perform visual tests. The correcting device is a liquid-crystal-on-silicon spatial light modulator permitting the control of aberrations in the two eyes of the observer simultaneously in open loop. The apparatus can be operated as an electro-optical binocular phoropter with two micro-displays projecting different scenes to each eye. Stereo-acuity tests (three-needle test and random-dot stereograms) have been programmed for exploring the performance of the instrument. As an example, stereo-acuity has been measured in two subjects in the presence of defocus and/or trefoil, showing a complex relationship between the eye's optical quality and stereopsis. This instrument might serve for a better understanding of the relationship of binocular vision and stereopsis performance and the eye's aberrations.     

Biodosimetry using chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes

In vitro dose-response calibration curves for (60)Co gamma rays have been established for unstable chromosome aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The observed dose-response data were fitted to a linear quadratic model. The calibration curve parameters were used to estimate the equivalent whole-body dose and dose to the irradiated region in partial body irradiation of cancer patients. The derived partial body doses and fractions of lymphocytes irradiated were in agreement with those estimated from the radiotherapy regimes.     

On measuring the horizontal electric field just above the Earth'ssurface

An analysis is given for the open-circuit voltage in a linear wire antenna located above a flat ground, with homogeneous electrical properties, for a distant vertically polarized source. The receiving wire antenna is allowed to be tilted at a fixed angle relative to the ground surface. In one case, the ends of the antenna are terminated in ground stakes while, in another ease, the antenna is unterminated. It is shown that the staked antenna is less influenced by the asymmetry     

Chromatic dispersions of the ocular media of human eyes

Of the commonly used chromatic dispersion equations, only the Sellmeier and the Cauchy equations seem to be theoretically based. Cauchy's equation is derived from the Sellmeier equation, is simpler to implement, and was found to give an excellent fit to published refractive-index data of the human eye. We used Cauchy's equation to model the chromatic difference in refraction of the Gullstrand number 1 schematic eye with a gradient-index lens. To estimate the dispersion at different refractive-index levels within the lens, a single dispersion equation at one nominal refractive index was linearly scaled. This scaling was justified after exploring the effect of mean refractive index on dispersion by using Sellmeier's equation and finding that a dispersion equation for one wavelength is just a linearly scaled version of the dispersion equation at any other wavlength. Because Cauchy's equation is theoretically based and gives excellent fit to data in the visible spectrum, it can be used to extrapolate results into the near infrared with confidence.     

Optical aberrations of the human cornea as a function of age

We investigated how the optical aberrations associated with the anterior surface of the human cornea change with age in a normal population. Aberrations were computed for a central part of the cornea (4, 5, and 6 mm in diameter) from the elevation data provided by a videokeratographic system. Measurements were obtained in 59 normal healthy, near-emmetropic [spherical equivalent lower than 2 diopters (D)] subjects of three age ranges: younger (20-30 years old), middle-aged (40-50 years old), and older (60-70 years old). The average corneal radius decreased with age and the cornea became more spherical. As a consequence, spherical aberration was significantly larger in the middle-aged and older corneas. Coma and other higher-order aberrations also were correlated with age. The root mean square of the wave aberration exhibited a linear positive correlation (P < 0.003) with age for the three ranges of pupil diameter. Despite a large intersubject variability, the average amount of aberration in the human cornea tends to increase moderately with age. However, this increase alone is not enough to explain the substantial reduction previously found in retinal image quality with age. The change in the aberrations of the lens with age and the possible loss of part of the balance between corneal and lenticular aberrations in youth may be the main factors responsible for the reduction of retinal image quality through the life span.     

人脸图像中人眼的检测与定位

利用人脸几何特征和图像分割原理，提出了一种在有背景的灰度和彩色人脸图像中自动检测与定位人眼的新算法。首先，基于人脸器官几何分布先验知识建立人眼位置判定准则；其次对人眼的分割阈值范围进行粗估计；然后采用分割阈值递增法，并结合人眼位置判定准则判定分割图像中双眼黑块是否出现；最后利用二雏相关系数作为对称相似性测度，检验检测到的双眼的真实性。为了避免图像背景对人眼检测的干扰，还运用了肤色分割原理来缩小检测人眼的搜索区域，从而进一步提高人眼定位的准确性。实验验证表明，所提出的人眼检测与定位方法在速度和准确性方面具有良好的性能。     

Effect of aging on the monochromatic aberrations of the human eye.

We measured the contrast sensitivity (CS) of a group of older subjects through natural pupils and compared the results with those from a group of younger subjects. We also measured each subject's monochromatic ocular wave-front aberrations using a crossed-cylinder aberroscope and calculated their modulation transfer functions (MTF's) and root-mean-squared (RMS) wave-front aberrations for fixed pupil diameters of 4 mm and 6 mm and for a natural pupil diameter. The CS at a natural pupil diameter and the MTF computed for a fixed pupil diameter were found to be significantly poorer for the older group than for the younger group. However, the older group showed very similar MTF's and significantly smaller RMS wave-front aberrations compared with the younger group at their natural pupil diameters, owing to the effects of age-related miosis. These results suggest that although monochromatic ocular wave-front aberrations for a given pupil size increase with age, the reduction in CS with age is not due to this increase.     

CFD simulation and optimization of the flow field in horizontal turbo air classifiers

This paper mainly presents a numerical study of the gas flow in horizontal turbo air classifiers. The effect of the air-inlet direction on the performance of classifier was also investigated through powder classification experiments. The simulated results show that the vertical vortex is the dominant flow in conical part of the classifier and there exists the horizontal vortex in the classifying chamber. The tangential velocity profile resembles a Rankine vortex inside the rotor cage. The vertical vortex intensity increases with increasing the inlet air velocity, while the rotor cage speed has limited effect on the control of gas pathlines in the classifying chamber. Horizontal turbo air classifiers are divided into four quadrants according to the air-inlet direction. For classifiers in quadrants I and III, a double-layer flow with opposite directions generates around the rotor cage which causes a secondary vortex. The secondary vortex is eliminated and the airflow becomes uniform in the classifier that belongs to quadrant Π or IV. The experimental results with fluidized catalytic cracking catalysts and fly ash demonstrate that cut sizes of this classifier decrease averagely by 5 μm and 2.2 μm respectively, and the classification accuracy increases by 7.5–10.3%.     

Positioning tolerances for phase plates compensating aberrations of the human eye

The positioning tolerances for phase plates used to compensate human eye aberrations are analyzed. Lateral displacements, in-plane rotations, and axial translations are considered, describing analytic and numerical procedures to compute the maximum degree of compensation achievable in each case. The compensation loss is found to be dependent both on the kind and the amount of misalignment and on the particular composition of the aberration pattern of each subject in terms of Zernike polynomials. We applied these procedures to a set of human eye aberrations measured with the laser ray-tracing method. The general trend of results suggests that lateral positioning, followed by angular positioning, are the key factors affecting compensation performance in practical setups, whereas axial positioning has far less stringent requirements.     

Real-world stimuli show perceived hue shifts in the peripheral visual field

Certain hues undergo shifts in their appearance when they are viewed by the peripheral retina. This has often been shown on a 3-primary color CRT monitor. To investigate the possible role of metamerism, we replicated our peripheral color matching experiments using Munsell paper stimuli viewed under real and simulated daylight (using a 3-primary projection system). Using stimuli of constant value and chroma (7/4), observers adjusted the hue of a 3 deg target presented 18 deg nasally, until it matched a 1 deg target presented 1 deg nasally. The magnitude and pattern of measured hue shifts were similar to those measured using CRT stimuli. We conclude that the perceived hue shifts that have previously been reported in the peripheral retina are independent of the nature of the stimulus and of the illuminant.     

Resolution of complex motion detectors in the central and peripheral visual field

We examine how local direction signals are combined to compute the focus of radial motion (FRM) in random dot patterns and examine how this process changes across the visual field. Equivalent noise analysis showed that a loss in FRM accuracy was largely attributable to an increase in local motion detector noise with little or no change in efficiency across the visual field. The minimum separation for discriminating the foci of two overlapping optic flow patterns increased in the periphery faster than predicted from the resolution for a single FRM. This behavior requires that observers average numerous local velocities to estimate the FRM, which enables resistance to internal and external noise and endows the system with the property of position invariance. However, such pooling limits the precision with which multiple looming objects can be discriminated, especially in the peripheral visual field.