SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VISION OF MACAQUES AFTER CENTRAL RETINAL LESIONS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 21  (1) , 17-26
Abstract
Spatial contrast and temporal modulation sensitivity of 2 macaque monkeys were measured at 3 luminance levels before and after binocular laser coagulation of the fovea. The radius of the lesions ranged from 1.6-2.2 from the center of the fovea. After placement of the lesions the visibility of high spatial frequencies was greatly reduced, although sensitivity at middle and low spatial frequencies was unaffected. No loss of spatial resolution was found at the lowest luminance tested. When temporal moldulation sensitivity was tested with 4.degree. targets, foveal lesions had no effect at any temporal frequency or luminance. With a 0.57.degree. target, sensitivity to lower temporal frequencies was impaired. Visual loss after destruction of the fovea is limited to high luminance, small targets and the resolution of fine detail.