Retinal Patients May Detect Vision Loss Quickly And Cheaply Using The 'Twinkle After-Effect'

Medical News Today

Scientists at Schepens Eye Research Institute have discovered a simple and inexpensive way for patients with retinal and other eye disease to keep track of changes in their vision loss. In a study published in this week's PLoS One (October 24, 2007) they demonstrate that a compelling visual illusion known as the induced twinkle after-effect (TAE) can accurately identify the location and breadth of actual blind spots in people with retinal disease. The twinkle after-effect is a "twinkling" that people can see in a blind spot when they stare at a blank screen after staring at a noisy visual target such as a detuned television screen.