myERCO

myERCO

Your free myERCO account allows you to mark items, create product lists for your projects and request quotes. You also have continuous access to all ERCO media in the download area.

Login

You have collected articles in your watchlist

Technical environment

Technical environment

Global standard 220V-240V/50Hz-60Hz
Standard for USA/Canada 120V/60Hz, 277V/60Hz
  • 中文

Our contents are shown to you in English. Product data is displayed for a technical region using USA/Canada 120V/60Hz, 277V/50Hz-60Hz.

More user friendliness for you

ERCO wants to offer you the best possible service. This website stores cookies for this purpose. By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies. For more information, please read our privacy policy. If you click on "Do not agree", essential cookies will continue to be set. Certain contents of external pages can no longer be displayed.

{{ tu_banner_headline }}

tu_banner_copy

Cones (eye): important for color vision

Graphical depiction of distribution of cones in the eye.

The cones are light-sensing cells in the eye that, with the rods, enable us to see. The cones in the eye determine our vision at higher luminous intensities, i.e. during the day or with artificial lighting. The system of cones has low sensitivity to light and is mainly concentrated in the central area around the fovea. It enables color vision and very good visual acuity.

Would you like to find out more?

Overview of cones (eye)

What tasks do cones in the eye have?

Cones are photoreceptors, meaning specialized light-sensing cells of the retina in the eye. The cones enable vision in sufficient light, i.e. mainly during the day and in artificial lighting. They are vital for the perception of colors.

The retina of the eye has around six million cones, i.e. less than rods. But it is only through these cone-like receptors that the eye is capable of visual acuity. The concentration of cones is highest in the fovea (fovea centralis), the retinal area with the sharpest vision.
Graphical depiction of distribution of cones in the eye

Number (N) of cones and rods on the ocular fundus as a function of the angle of vision.

What are L, M and S cones?

There are three different types of cones in the human eye. They are distinguished on the basis of their spectral absorption curve. The focus of sensitivity is in the blue, green and red spectral range. The balanced stimulus response of the three cone types forms a white color impression and is the basis of colorimetry.

  • S cones (short wavelength receptor): This receptor covers the blue range of the spectrum visible to humans and is therefore also called a blue receptor. They are the least common.
  • M cones (medium wavelength receptor): M cones are also called green receptors and mainly cover the green range, i.e. between blue and orange light. These receptors are the second most common in the retina of the eye.
  • L cones (long wavelength receptor): L cones have maximum perception in the long-wave range. They are also called red receptors, because with yellow-green they contribute significantly to the perception of this color. In most people, L cones are the most common.

Would you like to find out more?

Further topics on the human eye

Do you need further information?

You can contact your regional contact partner via:

You can gladly send us an e-mail or ask your question here

Your data will be handled confidentially. For further information see Data protection declaration.

Products

Projects

Downloads

Planning light

About ERCO

Contact

Inspiration