Ocular dimensions and schematic eyes of freshwater and sea turtles

Vis Neurosci. 1991 Dec;7(6):627-35. doi: 10.1017/s0952523800010415.

Abstract

Measurements were made of the ocular dimensions from living and frozen eyes of one species of freshwater turtle, Pseudemys scripta elegans, and of three species of marine turtles, Chelonia mydas, Dermochelys cariacea, and Eretmochelys imbricata. Estimates of refractive error by retinoscopy were also obtained with eyes in air and under water. The results suggest that unaccommodated eyes of all four species are approximately emmetropic in air but strongly hyperopic in water. Schematic eyes were calculated for each species in both air and water.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Air
  • Animals
  • Eye / anatomy & histology*
  • Lens, Crystalline / anatomy & histology
  • Lens, Crystalline / physiology
  • Ocular Physiological Phenomena
  • Optics and Photonics
  • Refractive Errors
  • Turtles / anatomy & histology*
  • Water

Substances

  • Water