Topics in Visual Optics
I will concentrate on two separate problems in visual optics.
The first is the design of multifocal spectacles. The inherent difficulties in such designs will be presented, along with solutions that led to the leading present products on the market.
The second problem is the phenomenon of starbursts: The complex patterns observed by a person while viewing a distant point source under dark illumination, such as stars at night.
If time permits, I will very briefly mention additional visual optics problems, including measuring high order aberrations, design of adjustable spectacles and multifocal contact lenses, and hydrodynamical aspects of glaucoma.
The talk is self-contained. Although it would be of particular interest to ophthalmologists, vision researchers and optometrists, it is aimed at a wide audience. No prior knowledge of visual optics or math is assumed.