Abstract

Dispersion of the refracting elements in the eye gives rise to chromatic aberration. A difference of refraction in red and blue light of ~1 diopter is due to longitudinal chromatic aberration. At an angle to the optical axis, a variation of magnification with wavelength (also termed transverse or lateral chromatic aberration) is introduced. The chromatic difference of magnification for targets illuminated by 650- and 490-nm wavelengths was measured by having subjects align Vernier targets in a split field. The subject’s measured longitudinal chromatic aberration was compensated for during the experiment. Preliminary measurements indicate that the chromatic difference of magnification is no more than 30 sec of arc, much less than the value (≃60 s) calculated for a centered schematic eye model incorporating a pupil. It is postulated that nasal decentration of the pupil of 0.25 mm dramatically reduces the amount of this aberration present on the fovea, as discussed by Bennett and Rabbetts.¹

© 1987 Optical Society of America