Resolution limit of the eye and cone spacing

Hello ng,

I read that the diameter of a cone in the fovea is about 1 µm and that
the spacing between two adjacent cones is about 2,5 µm. Is it possible
to calculate the resolution limit of the eye by those figures (sadly,
my knowledge in mathematics isn´t deep enough to do it myself!)? Most
textbooks state that the average eye can resolve 60 seconds of visual
angle. Does this measure correspond in some way to the cone spacing?

Thanks for your input!
Gregory Wool

Gregory Wool wrote:

> I read that the diameter of a cone in the fovea is about 1 µm and that
> the spacing between two adjacent cones is about 2,5 µm. Is it possible
> to calculate the resolution limit of the eye by those figures (sadly,
> my knowledge in mathematics isn´t deep enough to do it myself!)? Most
> textbooks state that the average eye can resolve 60 seconds of visual
> angle. Does this measure correspond in some way to the cone spacing?

In addition to whatever responses you get, you may want to search the
group. The subject of theoretical limits of human visual acuity comes
up pretty frequently.

Neil
For whom it's really a moot point....

Dear Gregory,

Yes the calculations have been conducted.

In fact, a few eyes do slightly better than
the calculations would predict!

Also, in bright light, some calculations show
that the eye will be diffraction limited with
an iris of 2 mm to about 1/2 minute-of-arc.

You will get endless debate about this
subject.

Best,

Otis


Gregory Wool wrote:
> Hello ng,
>
> I read that the diameter of a cone in the fovea is about 1 µm and that
> the spacing between two adjacent cones is about 2,5 µm. Is it possible
> to calculate the resolution limit of the eye by those figures (sadly,
> my knowledge in mathematics isn´t deep enough to do it myself!)? Most
> textbooks state that the average eye can resolve 60 seconds of visual
> angle. Does this measure correspond in some way to the cone spacing?
>
> Thanks for your input!
> Gregory Wool

What might really rock your boat too, is the fact that you can see
better with both eyes rather than one.

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> Dear Gregory,
>
> Yes the calculations have been conducted.
>
> In fact, a few eyes do slightly better than
> the calculations would predict!
>
> Also, in bright light, some calculations show
> that the eye will be diffraction limited with
> an iris of 2 mm to about 1/2 minute-of-arc.
>
> You will get endless debate about this
> subject.
>
> Best,
>
> Otis
>
>
> Gregory Wool wrote:
> > Hello ng,
> >
> > I read that the diameter of a cone in the fovea is about 1 µm and that
> > the spacing between two adjacent cones is about 2,5 µm. Is it possible
> > to calculate the resolution limit of the eye by those figures (sadly,
> > my knowledge in mathematics isn´t deep enough to do it myself!)? Most
> > textbooks state that the average eye can resolve 60 seconds of visual
> > angle. Does this measure correspond in some way to the cone spacing?
> >
> > Thanks for your input!
> > Gregory Wool

Dear OD to be,

Yes, correct again.

In fact the JAA (Joint Aviation Authority) only requires
that each eye pass the 20/30 line, but BOTH
eyes pass the 20/20 line.

In fact most DMV tests are generally written this way:

Both eyes must have 20/40 together, or

20/40 with the better eye -- with the
other eye allowed 20/50 to 20/60 -- to account
for the ususal difference of 1/2 diopter between the
nonmaly eyes.

With both eyes you see the composite of BOTH eyes.

Your are correct.

Best,

Otis



odtobe wrote:
> What might really rock your boat too, is the fact that you can see
> better with both eyes rather than one.
>
> (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> > Dear Gregory,
> >
> > Yes the calculations have been conducted.
> >
> > In fact, a few eyes do slightly better than
> > the calculations would predict!
> >
> > Also, in bright light, some calculations show
> > that the eye will be diffraction limited with
> > an iris of 2 mm to about 1/2 minute-of-arc.
> >
> > You will get endless debate about this
> > subject.
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > Otis
> >
> >
> > Gregory Wool wrote:
> > > Hello ng,
> > >
> > > I read that the diameter of a cone in the fovea is about 1 µm and that
> > > the spacing between two adjacent cones is about 2,5 µm. Is it possible
> > > to calculate the resolution limit of the eye by those figures (sadly,
> > > my knowledge in mathematics isn´t deep enough to do it myself!)? Most
> > > textbooks state that the average eye can resolve 60 seconds of visual
> > > angle. Does this measure correspond in some way to the cone spacing?
> > >
> > > Thanks for your input!
> > > Gregory Wool

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:

[snip]

Come on, Otis: Answer them. Man up.

http://nbeener.com/OSB_Questions.txt

Neil Brooks wrote:

> Gregory Wool wrote:

> > I read that the diameter of a cone in the fovea is about 1 µm and that
> > the spacing between two adjacent cones is about 2,5 µm. Is it possible
> > to calculate the resolution limit of the eye by those figures (sadly,
> > my knowledge in mathematics isn´t deep enough to do it myself!)? Most
> > textbooks state that the average eye can resolve 60 seconds of visual
> > angle. Does this measure correspond in some way to the cone spacing?

In addition to whatever responses you get, you may want to search the
group. The subject of theoretical limits of human visual acuity comes
up pretty frequently.
Neil

Dear Neil,
I searched a lot but couldn´t find anything about the calculation of
the above mentioned measure. If you know about the calculation would
you please be so kind to tell me?

Gregory