An Introduction to the Visual System

In recent years there has been a host of new advances in our understanding of how we see. From molecular genetics come details of the photopigments and the molecular causes of disorders like colour blindness. In-depth analysis has shown how a cell converts light into a neural signal using the photopigments. Traditional techniques of microelectrode recording along with new techniques of functional imaging - such as PET scans - have made it possible to understand how visual information is processed in the brain. This processing results in the single coherent perception of the world we see in our 'mind's eye'. An Introduction to the Visual System provides a concise, but detailed, overview of this field. It is clearly written, and each chapter ends with a helpful 'key points' section. It is ideal for anyone studying visual perception, from the second year of an undergraduate course onwards.