Abstract

Several recent studies have focused on the vulnerability of the S-cone pathway to visual system diseases. Selective or preferential S-cone pathway defects have been reported in diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and glaucoma, to name but a few. Conclusions about Scone pathway defects in these disorders have been drawn from threshold versus wavelength measures (i.e., increment threshold spectral sensitivity), heterochromatic threshold versus radiance functions (ala Stiles pi mechanisms), heterochromatic visual acuity under conditions where contrast favors S-cones, and flicker versus flashed heterochromatic increment thresholds. These various methods rely on the presumed high chromatic gain and coarse spacetime resolution of the S-cone pathway.^1-2

© 1990 Optical Society of America