Pupillary Light Reflexes in the Evaluation of Retinal Function

Abstract

The pupillary light reflexes depend on the adaptation state of the retina,¹⁰ the intensity and wavelength of the light stimulus,^17,26,249 and the magnitude and duration of the light stimulus.⁸ Thus, the pupillary reactions to light provide an objective means for evaluating the sensory function of the retina. By measuring the pupillomotor threshold at short intervals during dark adaptation, it is possible to construct a dark adaptation curve using the pupillographic method (Fig. 17). The spectral sensitivity of the retina can also be evaluated objectively by determining the pupillary response thresholds to stimulation with monochromatic light (Fig. 9). Depending on the retinal adaptation state, this sensitivity will correspond to that measured subjectively.