Non-image forming vision as measured through ipRGC-mediated pupil constriction is not modulated by covert visual attention

Abstract

In brightness the pupil constricts, while in darkness the pupil dilates; this is known as the pupillary light response (PLR). The PLR is driven by all photoreceptors: rods and cones, which contribute to image-forming vision, as well as intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), which contribute to non-image-forming vision. Rods and cones cause immediate pupil constriction upon light exposure, whereas ipRGCs cause sustained constriction for as long as light exposure continues. Recent studies have shown that the initial PLR is modulated by covert attention; however, it remains unclear whether the same holds for the sustained PLR. Here, we investigated the effect of covert attention on sustained, ipRGC-mediated pupil constriction. We leveraged the fact that ipRGCs are predominantly responsive to blue light, causing the most prominent sustained constriction in response to blue light. Replicating previous studies, we found that the pupil constricted more when either directly looking at, or covertly attending to, bright as compared to dim stimuli (with the same color). We also found that the pupil constricted more when directly looking at blue as compared to red stimuli (with the same luminosity); crucially, however, we did not find any difference in pupil size when covertly attending to blue as compared to red stimuli. This suggests that ipRGC-mediated pupil constriction, and possibly non-image-forming vision more generally, is not modulated by covert attention. Significance statementWhen we think of vision, we generally think of image-forming vision, that is, seeing things. However, vision can also be "non-image-forming"; for example, our day-night rhythm and pupil size are regulated by visual input, but not in a way that gives rise to conscious visual awareness. While visual attention shapes image-forming vision, its influence on non-image forming vision remains unclear. We investigated this by using ipRGCs,which contribute to non-image-forming vision and are responsive to blue light. Aside from replicating the effect of covert attention on image-forming vision, we showed that pupil constriction differed between directly looking at blue/ red stimuli, but not during covert attention to these stimuli. This suggests that non-image forming vision is not influenced by covert visual attention.