Night vision

About: Night vision is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 6004 publications have been published within this topic receiving 67372 citations.

Correlation of aberrations with visual acuity and symptoms.

Abstract: Standard refractive surgery (photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis)induces optical changes in the wavefront aberrations of the eye. Higher-order optical changes are induced, especially spherical aberration and coma. Wavefront sensing performed after refractive surgery has revealed a decrease in low-contrast acuity and contrast sensitivity, comprising the patient's night vision and leading to symptoms such as halos, starburst, and glare.

Hand mounted aviation night vision illuminating device

Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating a portion of the cockpit of an aircraft utilizing a night vision imaging system. The apparatus comprising and illumination unit rising an LED for selectively producing a beam of light which will not adversely affect the operation of the night vision imaging system. The illumination unit is arranged to be releasably mounted on the pilot's index finger. The illumination unit includes a pair of depressible switches each of which is arranged to be operated by the pilot's thumb or another finger to cause the unit to produce the light beam. The unit is mounted on the pilot's index finger by a ring formed of a hook and loop fastening system.

A detailed study of the phenotype of an autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy (CORD7) associated with mutation in the gene for RIM1.

Abstract: Aim: To characterise the phenotype of an autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy (CORD7) associated with the Arg844His mutation in RIM1. Methods: Eight members of a four generation, non-consanguineous British family were examined clinically and underwent electrophysiological testing, automated dark adapted perimetry, dark adaptometry, colour vision assessment, colour fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), and fundus autofluorescence (AF) imaging. Results: The majority of affected individuals described a progressive deterioration of central vision, night vision, and peripheral visual field usually between the third and fourth decades. The visual acuity ranged from 6/6 to 3/60. Colour vision testing showed mild to moderate dyschromatopsia in the majority of individuals. Fundus changes comprised a range of macular appearances varying from mild retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) disturbance to extensive atrophy and pigmentation. In some individuals retinal vessels were attenuated and in two subjects peripheral areas of retinal atrophy were present. An absent or severely reduced PERG was detected in all subjects, indicative of marked macular dysfunction. Full field ERG showed abnormal rod and cone responses. AF imaging revealed decreased macular AF centrally surrounded by a ring of increased AF in the majority of individuals. “Bull’s eye” lesions were present in two individuals, comprising of a ring of decreased perifoveal AF bordered peripherally and centrally by increased AF. Photopic sensitivity testing demonstrated elevated central visual field thresholds with additional superior greater than inferior peripheral field loss. There were rod and cone sensitivity reductions in the central and peripheral visual fields, with the inferior retina being more affected than the superior. Conclusions: The detailed phenotype is described of the autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy, CORD7, which is associated with a point mutation in RIM1, a gene encoding a photoreceptor synaptic protein. The pattern of disease progression and long term visual outcome facilitates improved genetic counselling and advice on prognosis. Such phenotypic data will be invaluable in the event of future therapy.

Thermographic detection of breast cancer

Abstract: The author outlines the historical attempts made to use infrared thermography for breast cancer detection. He concludes that the technique was a great idea that failed. One can produce good thermal images of the breast, and these images often show features that reflect disease. But the association between skin temperature and breast cancer is too weak to be useful, given the need to detect small tumors and the statistics of breast cancer. However, infrared imaging has experienced great progress in recent years, which is a result of military research in night vision. Several groups in the U.S., Canada, and Japan are experimenting with advanced thermographic systems for detection of breast cancer. This work, the "new thermography", is still in preliminary stages and no extensive clinical studies have apparently been published. The obvious hope is that improved thermal sensitivity will result in improved sensitivity as a medical test -a plausible but so far unproven hypothesis. Detection of breast cancer graphically illustrates the very large difference between getting a medical technology to "work" in a technical or engineering sense, and in meeting the needs of physicians and their patients. There is also a difference between observing promising results with individual patients, and in showing that a technique will benefit the many patients with whom it will be used. We would do our students a favor by helping them to understand the difference. And those who fail to learn the lessons of the past may have to repeat them again.