Abstract

We now know that the yellow macular pigment is localized in the inner and outer plexiform layers of the retina (Snodderly et al., 1984a) and that it is likely to be a mixture of two carotenoids: lutein and zeaxanthin (Bone et al., 1985). The yellow macular pigment may have a protective function (Kirschfeld, 1982), but it is generally thought to reduce the deleterious effects of chromatic aberration on foveal vision. Knowing the spectral absorption of the pigment in the living eye not only adds to our understanding of the pigment itself, in vivo assessment of the spectral properties and individual differences in density are necessary for many vision experiments for which it is important to correct for pre-receptoral spectral filtering.

© 1987 Optical Society of America