Day to day variability of the dark-adapted pupil diameter

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the individual variability of the dark-adapted pupil diameter over 2 testing sessions using a standardized dark-adaptation protocol. Setting: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA. Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study, 40 volunteers with no history of ocular disease, surgery, or injury other than requirement for refractive correction were included. The right eye was tested. A standardized dark-adaptation protocol was used that controlled for accommodation and patient alertness. Infrared, still digital photographs were taken after 5 and 10 minutes of dark adaptation and analyzed independently by 2 investigators using digital-image software. Two test sessions were performed 1 to 7 days apart. Lifestyle factors such as sleep, diet, and exercise were not controlled. Results: The mean subject age was 31.5 years (range 20 to 49 years). There were 20 men; 27 subjects wore correction for myopia, and 13 wore no correction. The mean interval between test sessions was 2 days (range 1 to 7 days). The mean difference and 95% confidence intervals for pupil diameter difference between sessions were as follows: 5-minute readings, +0.032 mm (−0.030 to +0.094); 10-minute readings, −0.006 mm (−0.059 to +0.047); mean of 5- and 10-minute readings, +0.013 mm (−0.038 to +0.064). Using the paired t test, the pupil diameter did not differ significantly between sessions in 5-minute dark adaptation ( P = .2980), 10-minute dark adaptation ( P = .8263), or the mean ( P = .6049). Conclusion: Using a consistent dark-adaptation protocol that controlled for alertness, individuals aged 20 to 49 years showed no significant variation in dark-adapted pupil diameter when tested twice in 1 week.