Polarization and retinal image quality estimates in the human eye

We have previously studied how polarization affects the double-pass estimat es of the retinal image quality by using an imaging polarimeter [Opt. Lett. 24, 64 (1949)]. A series of 16 images for independent combinations of pola rization states in the polarimeter were recorded to obtain the spatially re solved Mueller matrices of the eye. From these matrices, double-pass images of a point source for light with different combinations of incoming (first -pass) and outcoming (second-pass) polarization states were reconstructed a nd their corresponding modulation transfer functions were calculated. We fo und that the retinal image or, alternatively, the ocular aberrations, are n early independent of the state of polarization of the incident light (in th e first pass). This means that a significant improvement in the ocular opti cs by using a specific type of polarized light could not be achieved. Howev er, quite different estimates of the retinal image quality are obtained for combinations of polarization states in both the first and the second passe s in the double-pass apparatus. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.