Survey of Ophthalmology
Volume 54, Issue 6 , Pages 714-720, November 2009

The Rainbow: From Ancient Greece to Modern Optics

  • Ivan R. Schwab, MD, FACS

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint address: Ivan R. Schwab, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, 4860 Y Street, Suite 2400, Sacramento, CA 95817.
    • ,
  • W. Barry Lee, MD, FACS

      Affiliations

    • Piedmont Hospital, Eye Consultants of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
    • ,
  • David Bisno, MD

      Affiliations

    • Atlanta, Georgia, USA

published online 07 September 2009.

Michael F. Marmor, Editor

Abstract 

We provide a historical perspective on the rainbow, with a review of early research and observations regarding the rainbow's origin and a discussion of some of the major contributors to our current understanding of what the rainbow represents. An overview of the various types of rainbows is undertaken. We conclude with a discussion of the rainbow's link to refraction, light, the visual system, and perception.

Key words: light theory, rainbow, reflection, refraction

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 The authors reported no proprietary or commercial interest in any product mentioned or concept discussed in this article. This article was funded in part by an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc.

PII: S0039-6257(09)00118-0

doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2009.03.003

Survey of Ophthalmology
Volume 54, Issue 6 , Pages 714-720, November 2009

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