Melanopsin-driven surround induction on the red/green balance of yellow

J Opt Soc Am A Opt Image Sci Vis. 2023 Mar 1;40(3):A40-A47. doi: 10.1364/JOSAA.480023.

Abstract

To test the potential role of melanopsin-dependent ipRGCs in surround induction effects, we used a four-channel projector apparatus to hold the cone activity in a surround constant while varying the amount of melanopsin activity between two levels: low (baseline) and high (136% of the baseline). Rods were partially controlled by having the subjects complete conditions after either adapting to a bright field or darkness. The subjects adjusted the red/green balance of a 2.5° central target that varied in its ratio of L and M cones, but was equiluminant with the surround, to a perceptual null point (neither reddish nor greenish). When the surround melanopsin activity was higher, the subjects set their yellow balances at significantly higher L/(L+M) ratios, suggesting the high melanopsin surround was inducing greenishness into the central yellow stimulus. This is consistent with surround brightness effects that show the induction of greenishness into a central yellow test by high luminance surrounds. This potentially provides further evidence for a general role of melanopsin activity in brightness perception.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells*
  • Vision, Ocular
  • Visual Perception*

Substances

  • melanopsin