Scotopic vision refers to a type of vision that occurs in low light levels, where the eyes rely on rods instead of cones for visual perception. The word "scotopic" is spelled /skəˈtoʊpɪk/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the second syllable. The "s" is pronounced as "sk," and the "c" is pronounced as "k." The "o" is pronounced as "uh," followed by the "i" as "uh." The "p" is pronounced as "p," and the ending "ic" is pronounced as "ik."
Scotopic vision refers to the visual perception under low-light conditions, typically in dimly lit environments or during nighttime. It is the ability of the human eye to see objects in such low levels of illumination.
During scotopic vision, the eye relies predominantly on the specialized cells known as rods, located predominantly in the peripheral retina. Rod cells are highly sensitive to light and are responsible for detecting motion and brightness variations but do not detect colors. Due to their high sensitivity, they are particularly effective at detecting faint light sources, making scotopic vision crucial in situations with extremely limited light.
In scotopic vision, the visual acuity is considerably reduced compared to photopic vision, the normal vision experienced in bright lighting conditions. The reduced resolution and decreased color sensitivity are characteristic of scotopic vision, resulting in a hazy or monochromatic appearance of the objects being viewed.
The transition from photopic to scotopic vision occurs as the natural light levels decrease below a certain threshold, often measured at around 0.034 candela per square meter. This transition is characterized by the eyes adapting to the low-light conditions by dilating the pupils, allowing more light to enter, and enhancing the sensitivity of the rod cells.
Overall, scotopic vision plays a crucial role in allowing humans to navigate and perceive their surroundings in low-light situations, ensuring their safety and survival in environments with limited illumination.
The term "scotopic" comes from the Greek words "skotos" meaning "darkness" and "opsis" meaning "sight" or "vision". Therefore, "scotopic vision" refers to a type of vision in low-light conditions where the eyes predominantly rely on the rod cells in the retina instead of the cone cells, which are responsible for color perception and function better in bright light.