Vitamin A Dark Adaptometer

Nyctalopia or night blindness is described as the inability for the subjects eyes to adapt to dark conditions. There are a number diseases associated with night blindness including a lack of vitamin A. The Adaptometer was developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the Instrument Development Group to quantify pupillary response and hence predict vitamin A deficiency.

The unit comprises of a custom designed headset that incorporates a CCD camera element and a solid state flash. The patient’s eyes are subjected to a flash of white light subsequent to allowing them to adjust to dark conditions. Custom developed software uses pre and post-flash images to quantify the patient’s pupillary light reflex.