Spectral sensitivity of the dark-adapted extrafoveal retina at photopic intensities.

By using a heterochromatic brightness-matching technique, in which the test and comparison field were presented in succession, spectral equal-brightness functions were measured in a dark-adapted state at a retinal illumination of 1000 photopic trolands at 6, 28, 45, and 65 degrees temporally to the fovea. In addition, the spectral equal-brightness functions were measured at 10, 100, 1000, and 6400 photopic trolands at 17 degrees temporally. In striking contrast with previous results, all the spectral brightness functions obtained were found to be basically scotopic in form, with peak sensitivities at about 500 nm. The difference in results between the present study and previous studies could be ascribed to the difference in method employed. Thus it was found that simultaneous, relative to successive, presentation of test and comparison fields depresses rod activity in the test field to a considerable extent. It was concluded that rods may function and influence the brightness response in extrafoveal vision at much higher intensity levels than was previously assumed.