Effect of stimulation time in the swinging flashlight test on the detection of RAPD
Miyazawa, H.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 92(12): 2048-2052
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 3239507 Document Number: 307562
Pupillary movements during the swinging flashlight test were recorded in 7 patients with resolved optic neuritis. The patients had good visual acuity but various visual field defects. Both eyes were stimulated for 1.0 and 3.0 seconds alternately without intervals by two direct ophthalmoscopes. When each eye was stimulated for 1.0 second, pupillary movements were stable and several degrees of relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) were observed. During alternate stimulation for 3.0 seconds, pupillary movements were not regular and included physiologic pupillary unrest making it difficult to detect RAPD correctly. It was easy to estimate correct RAPD when the criteria for judging RAPD was initial pupillary constriction by 1.0 second stimulation.