F. Fotiou et al., Automated standardized pupillometry with optical method for purposes of clinical practice and research, CLIN PHYSL, 20(5), 2000, pp. 336-347
The aim of the current study was the introduction and standardization of tw
o experimental conditions for dynamic pupillometry. Pupillometry is a metho
d that can provide valuable data concerning the functioning of the autonomo
us nervous system. The system for recording the pupil reaction was develope
d in the Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology of the 1st Department of Ne
urology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in co-operation with the L
aboratory of Fluid Mechanics of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. T
his system is fully automated. It includes an infra-red video camera, which
has the capacity to record in complete darkness, and an SLE (clinical phot
ic stimulator) lamp. A software application automatically performed all the
procedures. During the first experiment, one flash was administered. Durin
g the second experiment, a series of 25 flashes (1 Hz frequency) was admini
stered. Fifty physically and mentally healthy subjects aged 23-48 years too
k part in the study. Means, standard deviations and ranges for all variable
s characterizing normal subjects during both experimental conditions are re
ported. Test/re-test results and comparisons of the two eyes are also repor
ted. The combined use of these two experimental conditions in dynamic pupil
lometry may be a very useful tool in medical research. There are already re
ports on the usefulness of pupillometry in the research of various diseases
, including depression and Alzheimer's disease. It is expected that it will
also be a valuable research tool in the study of diabetes, alcoholism, mya
sthenia gravis, cancer, multiple sclerosis, etc.