Adjusting a light dispersion model to fit measurements from vertebrate ocular media as well as ray-tracing in fish lenses

Abstract

Color dispersion, i.e., the dependency of refractive index of any transparent material on the wavelength of light, has important consequences for the function of optical instruments and animal eyes. Using a multi-objective goal attainment optimization algorithm, a dispersion model was successfully fitted to measured refractive indices of various ocular media and the longitudinal chromatic aberration determined by laser-scanning in the crystalline lens of the African cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni. The model describes the effects of color dispersion in fish lenses and may be applicable to the eyes of other vertebrates as well.