Abstract

Haidinger’s brushes (HB) are entoptic phenomena resulting from differential absorption of linear polarized light by the human macula. Computational models have assisted in understanding the behavior of these subjective phenomena but have been limited in their application. This study presents a revised computational model that incorporates known determinants of the form and behavior of HB. The model generates both static and animated simulations of HB that can be quantified by their density, contrast, and radial/circumferential extent. Measured physiological parameters are used to demonstrate the dependency of HB on macular pigment (MP) density, MP distribution, and ocular retardation. Physiological variations in these parameters explain the reported variations in the perception of HB.

© 2018 Optical Society of America

Nonlinearity in the rotational dynamics of Haidinger's brushes

Mark Rothmayer, Wolfgang Dultz, Erna Frins, Qiwen Zhan, Dennis Tierney, and Heidrun Schmitzer
Appl. Opt. 46(29) 7244-7251 (2007)

Haidinger’s brushes elicited at varying degrees of polarization rapidly and easily assesses total macular pigmentation

Shelby E. Temple, Nicholas W. Roberts, and Gary P. Misson
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 36(4) B123-B131 (2019)

Dichroism of the macular pigment and Haidinger’s brushes

Richard P. Hemenger
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 72(6) 734-737 (1982)

Physical Model for Haidinger’s Brush

D. M. SUMMERS, G. B. FRIEDMANN, and R. M. CLEMENTS
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 60(2) 271-272 (1970)

Computational simulation of human perception of spatially dependent patterns modulated by degree and angle of linear polarization

Gary P. Misson, Shelby E. Temple, and Stephen J. Anderson
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 36(4) B65-B70 (2019)