Puptrak 1.0--a new semiautomated system for pupillometry with the Octopus perimeter: a preliminary report

A provisional, semiautomated version of a system for automated testing of the afferent pupillary reflex with perimetric methods under controlled conditions is described. The target projected onto the perimeter cupola is used as the stimulus for triggering the pupillary response. In a modification to the Octopus 201, the pupil is illuminated by two IR LED diodes, while the pupillary responses are recorded by the onboard IR sensitive TV camera built into the perimetric unit. Measurements of the pupillary area as a function of time and stimulus luminance have been performed and have resulted in consistent results. Here, one perimetric program, working with stimuli above the threshold for the afferent pupillary light reflex is described. The present setup works with system-specific software and standard hardware, the central data processing unit being a desk-top computer (IBM PC AT-03). The mating of an automated pupillary measuring unit to an automated perimeter may open the door for a more widespread evaluation of the value and the clinical application range of pupillary perimetry and may be of interest in other areas of visual and clinical psychophysics. The shortcomings of the present system, in particular insufficient temporal resolution and lack of full automation, are being removed at the present time.