THEORY AND MEASUREMENT OF VISUAL MECHANISMS

Abstract
Comparison of monocular and binocular critical flash intensities for recognition of flicker, using a centrally fixated square image subtending ca. 6.13° on a side (white light), shows that for the cone segment of the response contour the inflection point of the probability integral correlating flash frequency F (for symmetrical flicker) and log mean critical flash intensity Im is with the binocular measurements exactly intermediate between those for each eye separately. This does not mean that in general the data are intermediate; they are not; the binocular asymptotic Fmax. agrees with or lies above the greater one of the two uniocular curves. The entire contour must be considered for valid intercomparisons, as is also true if homologous curves for different observers are to be compared. For the measurements in the predominantly rod region the binocular data are more or less intermediate. The rod curves result, however, from the integrative interplay of rod and cone effects for which the intrinsic curves overlap. The resultant rod curve as measured is determined by the partial inhibition of rod effects by cone effects, and by the summation of the remaining rod contributions with those labelled cone in origin. It is pointed out that in this respect, as in others, it is desirable to consider the rôles of retinal area, and location, from the standpoint of integration of neural effects. These phenomena are essentially independent of the light-time fraction and of the spectral (λ) quality of the light used.