A method of presenting full-field images with minimal distortion.

A method of presenting an image covering the total monocular visual field is described. The geometry of distortion in this full-field image is analysed. Computations demonstrate that local tangential and radial distortion can be minimised by selection of the surface shape, projection and viewing distances. Image luminance distribution can be computed and appears tolerable for most experimental purposes. A unidirectional grating can be presented with the local magnification varying by less than 3% from the central value over the total monocular visual field. For projection of images or gratings with multiple orientations distortion of up to + or - 25% may need to be tolerated. Such systems could have many applications in vision research where unrestricted fields are necessary. A miniature prototype diffusing surface has been generated to produce a full-field grating image with tolerable distortion. An experiment is described to demonstrate the feasibility of plotting a full-field contrast sensitivity function.