Diffraction and the human eye

This work presents some aspects of diffraction in the human eye, which occurs in the pupil, in the cells of the lens, and in structures within it. An Appendix presents the calculations necessary to understand the phenomenon of diffraction. To complement the understanding of optical phenomena, some physiological aspects of the eye, especially the retina, are examined. The purpose of the paper is to provide teachers and students with examples that can help in the study of optics and motivate students to take a closer look at diffraction, including numerical calculations. Examples include the visibility of structures like the Great Wall of China when viewed from long distances, the dots of the letters i and j from the drug information leaflet the shape of floaters, and why we see stars as pointy objects. This article targets physicists, physics students, and professionals from other areas related to human vision, such as ophthalmologists, opticians, and optometrists.

Keywords:
Diffraction; Human eye; Vision; Physics Education; Medical Education