Final answer:
Neural adaptation in vision involves the adjustment of the eye's sensitivity to changing visual input, including light intensity and edge detection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neural adaptation in vision is the process by which the sensitivity of neural networks in the eye and brain adjusts to changes in visual input. There is intricate signal processing in the eye before information reaches the brain due to the various nerve connections among light receptors on the retina. This neural processing is evident when the eye displays a high sensitivity to edges and perceives false darkness variations caused by adjacent light receptors. This kind of adaptive response does not simply react to the uniform light entering the eye but rather to the contrasts and boundaries between light and dark areas.
Dark adaptation specifically refers to the adjustment of the eyes when moving from bright to low-light conditions. This involves a shift in dominance from cone activity, which is essential in brightly lit environments, to rod activity, which is crucial in dim lighting. It takes time for the rods to become more sensitive to light, hence there is a delay referred to as dark adaptation. This period of adjustment can be affected by conditions like night blindness, where rod functionality is impaired, leading to difficulties in seeing in dim environments.