Impaired night vision as a consequence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is less well understood than visual acuity loss. Now, a new five-year study is about to investigate the role of dark adaptation using AdaptDx (MacuLogix) as a diagnostic tool that might help identify AMD cases sooner. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography will also be used in the study, as well as patient questionnaires about quality of life.

Studies show AMD patients can experience night vision problems early in the disease process, a concern that cannot be detected or measured using conventional high luminance visual acuity testing or high-resolution structural imaging technology, according to a MacuLogix press release. The company’s dark adaptometer measures a patient’s rod intercept time, the number of minutes it takes for the eye to adapt from bright light to darkness.

The University of Bonn is coordinating the Macustar consortium of 20 clinical sites across Europe that will enroll 750 patients in seven European countries.