June 2017
Volume 17, Issue 7
Open Access
OSA Fall Vision Meeting Abstract  |   June 2017
Neural compensation mechanisms following long-term adaptation to severe optical defects
Author Affiliations
  • Antoine Barbot
    Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester
    Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester
  • Krystel R Huxlin
    Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester
    Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester
    Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester
  • Duje Tadin
    Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester
    Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester
    Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester
  • Geunyoung Yoon
    Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester
    Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester
Journal of Vision June 2017, Vol.17, 37. doi:https://doi.org/10.1167/17.7.37
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      Antoine Barbot, Krystel R Huxlin, Duje Tadin, Geunyoung Yoon; Neural compensation mechanisms following long-term adaptation to severe optical defects. Journal of Vision 2017;17(7):37. https://doi.org/10.1167/17.7.37.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Prolonged exposure to poor optical quality gradually alters neural processing, limiting the visual benefits of advanced optical corrections. Here, we studied the underlying mechanisms of long-term neural adaptation to poor optics in keratoconus (KC), a progressive and severe corneal disease affecting normally-developed adults. We characterized contrast processing in both KC (N=5) and normal (N=5) subjects while bypassing optical factors using an adaptive optics (AO) system. Under AO correction, KC subjects showed abnormal contrast sensitivity, with impaired sensitivity at high spatial frequencies (SF) and enhanced sensitivity at low SFs. Using the Perceptual Template Model and an external noise task, we found that impaired sensitivity to high-SF was associated with reduced weighting of high-SF channels, while improved sensitivity to low-SF information was due to reduced internal noise. The more severe the optical defects, the more pronounced these effects. Our results uncover important plasticity mechanisms underlying long-term neural adaptation to severe optical defects and further our understanding of how optical and neural factors shape our visual experience.

Meeting abstract presented at the 2016 OSA Fall Vision Meeting

Footnotes
 Supported by NIH EY014999.
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×