Trouble Seeing At Night: More Than Just A Sign of Aging?
If you begin having difficulty seeing at night, it’s time to talk with your doctor. You may have impaired “dark adaptation” which weakens at the earliest stages of AMD. As the disease progresses, night vision difficulties increase and your central vision can be compromised. The AdaptDx Pro® test can help your doctor identify issues with dark adaptation function.
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Age-related macular degeneration (also known as AMD) is a chronic progressive disease. It affects your central field of vision and can lead to blindness. AMD attacks the macula – a part of the retina that allows you to see objects located straight ahead of you. If you have certain risk factors or symptoms for AMD your eye care doctor may recommend you get a dark adaptation test to gauge how long it takes your vision to adjust to the dark. This is because the earliest symptom of this disease is trouble adjusting from bright light to darkness. And many people first notice a problem with their night vision when reading in dim light or driving at night.
Subclinical AMD detection is critical
Like any disease, it’s important to identify AMD early so you and your doctor can take steps to preserve your vision as long as possible. Fortunately, there is an easy dark adaptation test that can measure your night vision. It gives your doctor valuable information to help detect the earliest stages of AMD as much as three years earlier than any other test.
Theia guides patients through the test
The AdaptDx Pro measures your dark adaptation speed with the help of Theia – a friendly and helpful on-board technician who guides you through the test, “Hello, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Theia and I will be guiding you through today’s test.” The simple test only takes about six minutes and is very comfortable. You’ll wear a lightweight headset and press a response button every time you see a flash of light. This is a remarkable device that it can do so much and be self-contained and wearable and comfortable and you don’t have to put your chin on something and lean forward and do all of that. This is a good idea. While wearing the headset it will be completely dark but Theia’s voice will guide you. Theia is powered by artificial intelligence so her instructions adapt based on your responses and movements. “I noticed you did not press the response button. Let’s try again.”
Impaired dark adaptation is the earliest sign of AMD
After the test your doctor will review the results with you. If the AdaptDx Pro results show impaired dark adaptation – the earliest sign of macular degeneration – it’s your opportunity to partner with your eye doctor to create a plan to delay progression of the disease that may include making lifestyle changes, taking eye health supplements, wearing protective lenses, and getting regular follow-up tests. Your eye doctor’s goal is to help you preserve your vision longer so you have more time to do the things you enjoy. Talk to your eye care professional today about early testing for macular degeneration with AdaptDx Pro.