The Tuebingen Scotopic Threshold Test (TSTT)

IEEE J Biomed Health Inform. 2018 Mar;22(2):607-610. doi: 10.1109/JBHI.2017.2648891. Epub 2017 Jan 5.

Abstract

Measurement of the dark-adaptation threshold plays a key role in the diagnosis and estimation of disease progression of many retinal disorders. Determining the threshold is, however, difficult to perform in young children. We present here a prototype for a dark adaptometer, the Tuebingen Scotopic Threshold Test aimed to ease measurement of photoreceptor thresholds in young subjects. The device consists of two 7 cm ×10 cm fields with either blue or yellow LEDs, for testing rod or cone sensitivity, respectively. Presentation of homogenous field patterns or a flickering stimulus is also possible. The luminance threshold is measured by the method of ascending limits and the stimulus luminance, data recording and analysis are computer controlled. Preliminary results for six adults and two older children were ascertained and the influence of pupil dilation, binocular presentation, and a flickering stimulus examined. The method provides credible and consistent evaluations of the absolute threshold.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Dark Adaptation / physiology*
  • Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Miosis / diagnosis
  • Miosis / physiopathology
  • Mydriasis / diagnosis
  • Mydriasis / physiopathology
  • Psychophysics
  • Retina / physiology*
  • Retina / physiopathology
  • Visual Perception