title: Effects of background light on the human dark-adapted electroretinogram and psychophysical threshold.
abstract: We compared the effects of background light on the sensitivities of two components of the human electroretinogram, the cornea-negative scotopic threshold response (STR) and the cornea-positive PII (beta wave), as well as on the psychophysical sensitivity in a ganzfeld. The background illuminance necessary to reduce the STR (an inner retinal signal) measurably was approximately five times greater than that needed to raise the psychophysical threshold. A background illuminance at least 1 log unit greater still was needed to reduce PII (a signal-reflecting activity of bipolar cells). These findings suggest (1) that the weakest backgrounds that reduce retinal sensitivity have their effect at a site that is proximal to the bipolar cells, a site that involves amacrine or ganglion cells, and (2) that very weak backgrounds have their effect on visual sensitivity at a site more proximal than the scotopic threshold response generator and perhaps more central than the retina.
authors.affiliation: College of Optometry, University of Houston, Texas 77204-6052, USA.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Frishman
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Robson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003623:Dark Adaptation; D004596:Electroretinography; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008875:Middle Aged; D011601:Psychophysics / Q000379:methods; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013997:Time Factors