Method and apparatus for the detection of impaired dark adaptation
AssigneeThe UAB Research Foundation
InventorsGregory R. Jackson, Cynthia Owsley
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Abstract
The present method describes a new method for the measurement of dark adaptation. The dark adaptation status of subjects may ten be used to identify those subjects who are at risk of developing and/or who are currently suffering from a variety of disease states having their clinical manifestations in impaired dark adaptation. The disease states include, but are not limited to, age related macular degeneration, vitamin A deficiency, Sorsby's Fundus Dystrophy, late autosomal dominant retinal degeneration, retinal impairment related to diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. An apparatus for administering the test method described is also provided.
Claims40
An apparatus for psychophysical measurement of dark adaptation in a test eye of a subject, said apparatus comprising:
- a. a means for generating a target stimulus of a desired spectrum and intensity;
- b. a means for displaying said target stimulus to said test eye at a desired location in communication with said means for generating;
- c. a means for input to permit said subject to input a reaction of said subject to said target stimulus;
- and
- d. a means for control in communication with said means for generating, said means for displaying, and said means for input, said means for control capable of:
- controlling said means for generating to vary said spectrum and said intensity, recording said reaction of said subject to said target stimulus, a time of said reaction and the intensity of said target stimulus at the time of said reaction, and obtaining at least one threshold measurement from said recording.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.