Use of a supercontinuum white light in evaluating the spectral sensitivity of the pupil light reflex

Abstract

We assessed the spectral sensitivity of the pupillary light reflex in mice using a high power super continuum white light (SCWL) source in a dual wavelength configuration. This novel approach was compared to data collected from a more traditional setup using a Xenon arc lamp fitted with monochromatic interference filters. Irradiance response curves were constructed using both systems, with the added benefit of a two-wavelength, equivocal power, output using the SCWL. The variables applied to the light source were intensity, wavelength and stimulus duration through which the physiological output measured was the minimum pupil size attained under such conditions. We show that by implementing the SCWL as our novel stimulus we were able to dramatically increase the physiological usefulness of our pupillometry system.