Reduced Examination Time by Monocular and Bilateral Examination in the Same Session With a New Computerized Dark Adaptometer

Abstract

To reduce the examination time for dark adaptometry, which including preadaptometry normally takes 30 minutes for an eye, a computerized adaptometer was constructed allowing monocular examination of both eyes simultaneously. The total examination time was thereby reduced from 60 to 30 minutes. This improvement was achieved by the use of electronically monitored transparent shutters that were alternately opened for the right eye, the left eye, or both eyes. Eighteen healthy subjects were examined 3 times each, and the results were recorded separately for the right eye, the left eye, and binocularly. The test results were presented graphically and numerically. The results of the examinations were in good agreement between the right and left eyes and also demonstrated good reproducibility between the three separate examinations. The alternating transparent light shutters did not cause any fixation problems for 10 subjects with phoria. The computerized dark adaptometer is by the 50% reduction of examination time a relief for future patients without any expected loss of diagnostic information. (Less)