Effect of Peripheral Optical Quality on Spatial Contrast Sensitivity

Abstract

The optical quality of the human eye is best for central vision and worsens for peripheral viewing conditions; most observers exhibit marked astigmatism for off-axis viewing (Jennings and Charman, 1981; Navarro, Artal and Williams, 1993). Whether or not correction of peripheral refractive error improves visual performance seems to depend on the visual task. For example, visual acuity may not increase with peripheral correction but perimetric thresholds can be improved (see discussion in Jennings and Charman, 1981).