Abstract
We reviewed the role of melanopsin-containing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in light-dependent functions, including circadian rhythm that is important for health and visual perception. We then discussed the implications for lighting design.
Highlights
In addition to rod and cone photoreceptors, there exists a third class of photoreceptors in the mammalian retina, called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells
IpRGCs are considered to be the primary photoreceptors for sub-conscious non-image-forming (NIF) functions that are important for our normal biological activities and health
IpRGCs are found to project to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), the thalamic relay to the visual cortex, and the melanopsin-based signal may contribute to conscious image-forming (IF) vision [3]
Summary
In addition to rod and cone photoreceptors, there exists a third class of photoreceptors in the mammalian retina, called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). In addition to intrinsic melanopsin-mediated photoresponses, ipRGCs receive synaptic inputs from rods and cones. The combination of melanopsin activation, rod and cone inputs enable ipRGCs to signal a large dynamic range of light levels in the environment (by a factor of 10 billion from dim starlight to bright sunlight) [8].
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