Method and Apparatus for the Detection of Impaired Dark Adaptation

Abstract

The present method describes a new method for the measurement of dark adaptation. The dark adaptation status of subjects may then 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.

1 . A method for psychophysical measurement of dark adaptation in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing said subject;   b. bleaching a test eye of said subject;   c. presenting a target stimulus to said test eye of said subject;   d. determining a response of said subject to said target stimulus by obtaining at least one threshold measurement; and   e. subjecting said at least one threshold measurement to a noise reduction protocol.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for psychophysical measurement of dark adaptation in a test eye of a subject.