Appendix
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Ophthalmology

Haidinger Brush Phenomenon

The Haidinger brush phenomenon, also known as Haidinger brushes, is a distinctive and intriguing visual phenomenon that allows humans to perceive the polarization of light. This entoptic phenomenon is named after Austrian scientist Wilhelm Karl von Haidinger, who first reported the phenomenon in 1844. The Haidinger brush phenomenon is an elliptical, yellowish-blue pattern against a blue or white background when viewing polarized light. The visualization of Haidinger brushes is a way of observing

v1 · Reviewed Nov 8, 2026 by Automated Clinical Reviewer (Strict Verbatim v1)
  • AMD, a common condition in older adults, leads to the loss of central vision.
  • Stargardt disease, a form of inherited juvenile macular dystrophy, also impacts the macula by causing progressive vision loss due to the death of photoreceptor cells, which are vital for detecting light and color.
  • The visualization of Haidinger brushes is a way of observing and potentially monitoring the density and condition of xanthophyll pigment in the macula and, in this manner identifying and tracking macular disease.
  • From a research perspective, the phenomenon can serve as a noninvasive probe into the functional integrity of the macular area.
  • As such, the phenomenon provides a potential means to gauge the concentration of macular pigment and, consequently, macular health.
  • However, Haidinger brushes can serve as an interesting clinical sign, demonstrating the dichroism of the xanthophyll pigment found in the macula lutea.
  • As such, any changes in the perception of Haidinger brushes could signal changes in the macular area, enabling it to serve as a self-monitoring tool for some patients.
  • The clinical insights offered by the visualization of Haidinger brushes, or the lack thereof, has been explored in conditions like amblyopia and cataract.
  • For instance, the visibility of Haidinger brushes can help assess the level of binocular function, which is often impaired in amblyopia.
  • The perception of Haidinger brushes has been proposed as a prognostic marker for patients with cataracts.
  • Perceiving Haidinger brushes typically requires a specific viewing technique that capitalizes on the ability to discern polarized light.
  • Most commonly, the technique involves the subject staring at a uniform bright white or blue field of polarized light, then shifting their gaze back and forth rotationally.
  • LCD screens, used in most modern monitors and televisions, produce linearly polarized light when it passes through the liquid crystal layer.
  • Research on the role of xanthophyll pigments in the macula has led to their use as a supplement in age-related macular degeneration to increase MPOD.
  • The ability to perceive Haidinger brushes varies among individuals and can be enhanced with practice.
  • When exposed to a field of linearly polarized light, individuals can enhance their perception of Haidinger brushes by alternately covering each eye or gently rotating their heads, among other techniques.
  • Movement of Haidinger brushes via head rotation can be beneficial for their perception.
  • The perception of Haidinger brushes relies not on color perception but on the ability to discern the dichroism in the macular pigments, giving rise to the perception of polarized light.
  • However, the full interplay between color vision deficits and the perception of Haidinger Brushes is not currently understood.
  • The visualization of Haidinger brushes is a way of observing and potentially monitoring the density and condition of xanthophyll pigment in the macula and, in this manner identifying and tracking macular disease.
  • An alteration in the perception of Haidinger brushes could reflect this effect.
  • As such, any changes in the perception of Haidinger brushes could signal changes in the macular area, enabling it to serve as a self-monitoring tool for some patients.
  • In both scenarios, applying Haidinger brushes visualization acts as a noninvasive tool that could enhance the understanding, treatment, and monitoring of these common eye conditions in conjunction with standard diagnostic and prognostic methods.
  • The presence and growth of these drusen can lead to physical distortion and functional compromise of the macula, subsequently modifying the perception of Haidinger brushes.
  • These alterations can change the perception of Haidinger brushes and signal the presence of these diseases.
  • review
    Haidinger Brush Phenomenon. StatPearls [Internet] — Garrett N. Manion, Thomas J. Stokkermans — StatPearls Publishing, 2023

Decision support only. Verify against local protocols and current labeling. Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov