Non-Visual Photoreception: Sensing Light without Sight
January 8th, 2001
Seattle, WA, United States
Russell N. Van Gelder
Non-visual photoreception appears to exist in people. That is, there seems to be a mechanism by which a natural circadian (day/night) cycle is maintained in the absence of vision, among other biological phenomena, such as the pupillary light response. This article looks to summarize the existing literature that describes this phenomenon throughout history.
Current Biology
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2007.11.027
Posted byMahmoud Said
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Abstract/Description
Recent work in blind human subjects has confirmed the presence of a non-visual ocular photoreceptive mechanism similar to that described in blind mice. This system appears to subserve circadian photic entrainment, the pupillary light response, and a number of other aspects of neurophysiology and behavior.
