title: Fractal images induce fractal pupil dilations and constrictions.
abstract: Fractals are self-similar structures or patterns that repeat at increasingly fine magnifications. Research has revealed fractal patterns in many natural and physiological processes. This article investigates pupillary size over time to determine if their oscillations demonstrate a fractal pattern. We predict that pupil size over time will fluctuate in a fractal manner and this may be due to either the fractal neuronal structure or fractal properties of the image viewed. We present evidence that low complexity fractal patterns underlie pupillary oscillations as subjects view spatial fractal patterns. We also present evidence implicating the autonomic nervous system's importance in these patterns. Using the variational method of the box-counting procedure we demonstrate that low complexity fractal patterns are found in changes within pupil size over time in millimeters (mm) and our data suggest that these pupillary oscillation patterns do not depend on the fractal properties of the image viewed.
authors: Wake Forest University, United States.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Moon
authors: Wake Forest University, United States.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Muday
authors: Wake Forest University, United States.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Raynor
authors: Wake Forest University, United States.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Schirillo
authors: University of Oregon, United States.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Boydston
authors: University of Oregon, United States.
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Fairbanks
authors: University of Oregon, United States.
authors: R P
authors: RP
authors: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003250:Constriction; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D017709:Fractals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011680:Pupil / Q000502:physiology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autonomic nervous system; Fractals; Pupillary oscillations