Selective adaptation of components of the human electroretinogram.

Abstract

The effects of colored adaptation stimuli upon the photopic X-wave and the scotopic B-wave components of the human electroretinogram have been investigated. An experimental arrangement was adopted in which the eye was exposed continuously to a colored central field together with a surrounding white adaptation field. Relative spectral sensitivity of the electroretinogram was determined for various combinations of surround luminance and central field color. With a dim surround luminance (0.006 ft-L) both X waves and B waves were clearly present in the electrical recordings. Red central adaptation reduced sensitivity of the X wave while blue adaptation reduced sensitivity of the B wave. With a more intense surround luminance (2 ft-L) a single wave form was observed, but its sensitivity could be reduced in limited spectral regions through the use of appropriate color adaptations. The data indicate that either the X wave or B wave may be selectively reduced in amplitude if the eye is adapted to light for which one or the other components possesses greater sensitivity. They further indicate that specific adaptation effects may be produced in the isolated photopic component alone.