Development of a Device to Measure Dark Adaptation

In a clinical environment dark adaptation (DA) is measured by exposing the patient to a brief bright light and then measuring their sensitivity to a flickering light. This sensitivity recovery has a typical appearance; an early rapid recovery mediated by the colour vision system (cone photoreceptors) and a slower recovery of the low light system (rod photoreceptors).

If the measurements are made against a black background then a bi exponential model is suitable, however if a dim luminous background is used then the recovery is better modelled by a exponential bi linear model. We will use the exponential bilinear model, which has seven parameters. The parameters are as follows; the exponential cone phase is modelled by the cone threshold, cone coefficient, and cone time constant. The S2 rod phase is modelled by its commencement time. This is the time when the rod system becomes more sensitive than the cone system, sometimes called the cone-rod break point (alpha) and the slope of the subsequent thresholds. The late rod phase (S3) is similarly modelled by a transition time or rod-rod breakpoint (beta) and its slope.

If the initial bright light is sufficiently intense then the recovery of the rod phase (S2) is termed rate limited. There is evidence that this recovery rate is a useful measure of the health of the light sensing layer of the eye an adjoining tissues, the retina, retinal pigment epithelium and choroid. It is these tissues that are thought to be affected in age related macular disease.

In this study we will measure rate of rod recovery sometimes called the S2 phase. We want to see whether this measurement can be used to identify patients with and without early macular disease.

Inclusion criteria

• They understand their rights as a research Participant and are willing and able to sign a Statement of Informed Consent.
• They are over 50 years and less than 80 years of age.
• They are willing and able to perform the experimental task required.
• They are not a current participant in other studies. Lifestyle factors
• Diet that includes animal and/or vegetable fats. Health factors
• Good ocular health, the following will be admitted Pseudophakia, aphakic with good VA (better than 6/12), AMD with AREDS category 1,2,or 3.
• Good systemic health, the following may be admitted Hypertension Thyroid disease Arthritis Depression
• Medication, that is not hepatotoxic or retinotoxic directly or by treating a disease that is may be admitted. Use British National Formulary (BNF) to check if unsure.

Exclusion criteria

• Unlikely to be available, willing, and able to attend
• Unable to give consent.
• Current participant in other studies.
• Subject to any condition that may adversely affect fat intake (proxy for Vit A) or retinal function.

Lifestyle factors

• Diet that excludes animal and/or vegetable fats.

Health factors

• Ocular Any active disease, e.g. · Glaucoma, Cataract if VA worse than 6/12 · Diabetic Retinopathy · Retinal detachment · Uveitis Treatments · Laser Sx. to cornea, capsule or retina · Recent cataract extraction within 12 weeks · Drops
• Systemic Diabetes Liver disease, Hepatitis: Past or present Digestive disorders, e.g. Crohns, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance Bowel surgery, stomach staple, ileostomy, colostomy Kidney disorder (elevated iron) Chronic alcoholism or drug abuse

• Medication, hepatotoxic or retinotoxic directly or by treating a disease that is. If unsure use BNF and seek advice of ophthalmologist/study leader. Examples include:
• Interferon alpha
• Vitamin A derivatives (Chronic eczema)
• Amiodarone (Heart disease)
• Chloroquine/Hydrochloroquine (Plaquenil) (Rheumatoid Arthritis/ Malaria)
• Tamoxifen (Breast Cancer)
• Chlorpromazine (Schizophrenia)
• Deferoxamine (Thalassemia, blood transfusions/ kidney disease)
• Phenothiazines (Anti-psychotic/epilepsy)
• Ethambutol (TB)