Chromatic adaptation alters spectral sensitivity at high temporal frequencies.
To evaluate the effects of chromatic adaptation on spectral sensitivity at temporal frequencies within the region of high-frequency linearity, critical flicker frequency was measured as a function of red-green luminance ratio for counterphase flicker of 649- and 555-nm light. For eight observers, the relative weight of the contribution of the long-wavelength-sensitive cones to flicker detection was smaller on long-wavelength adapting fields than on middle-wavelength adapting fields even though long-wavelength-sensitive-cone modulations were high. These data indicate that chromatic adaptation can confound the interpretation of flicker-sensitivity data that are gathered with long-wavelength test lights or with equiluminant heterochromatic flicker and that there can be considerable interobserver variability in the effects of chromatic adaptation.
Swanson
W H
WH
Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas 75231.
D000221:Adaptation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D003118:Color Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005425:Flicker Fusion / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds