Examines contrast sensitivity of the human visual system--concerning the eye"s ability to distinguish objects from each other or from the background--and its effects on the image-forming process. The text provides equations for determining various aspects of contrast sensitivity, in addition to models (mathematical expressions) that can easily be adapted for practical applications.Contents - Introduction - References - Modulation threshold and noise - Model for the spatial contrast sensitivity of the eye - Extension of the contrast sensitivity model to extra-foveal vision - Extension of the contrast sensitivity model to the temporal domain - Effect of nonwhite spatial noise on contrast sensitivity - Contrast discrimination model - Image quality measure - Effect of various parameters on image quality - Epilogue - Summary - Samenvatting - Acknowledgments - Curriculum Vitae