American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) Practice Exam

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What is the range of wavelengths of light that is visible to humans?

350 to 700 nanometers
380 to 750 nanometers
400 to 800 nanometers
500 to 900 nanometers

The correct answer is: 380 to 750 nanometers

The range of wavelengths of light that is visible to humans is generally accepted to be between 380 and 750 nanometers. This range encompasses the various colors that can be perceived, starting from violet at the shorter wavelengths and extending to red at the longer wavelengths. The electromagnetic spectrum includes rays that are either shorter than ultraviolet or longer than infrared, which are not visible to the human eye. The lower boundary of 380 nanometers corresponds to the ultraviolet light spectrum, while the upper boundary of 750 nanometers marks the transition to infrared light. This range includes all the colors of the visible spectrum: violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. Understanding this range is crucial for disciplines such as ophthalmology and vision science, as it defines the light conditions that affect human vision and perception.