Visual Activity Evoked by Infrared in Humans After Dark Adaptation

NCT02909985 | Completed Results

• 1 other identifier: CTSC0004-6
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 21
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot study will evaluate the visual response to infrared (IR) in humans after dark adaptation. The investigators plan to determine which wavelength and intensity the human eye is most sensitive to in healthy and color-blind participants by using a broad spectrum light source and wavelength-specific IR bandpass filters. The long-term goal of this research is to better understand the role that IR plays in visual function, and whether this can be manipulated to allow for vision in certain retinal pathologies that result from loss of photoreceptor cells. The investigators central objective is to test the electrophysiologic response to IR in the dark-adapted retinal and visual pathways. The investigator's central hypothesis is that IR evokes a visual response in humans after dark adaptation, and the characteristics of this response suggest transient receptor potential (TRP) channel involvement. The investigators rationale is that a better understanding of how IR impacts vision may allow for an alternative mechanism for vision in a number of diseases that cause blindness from the degradation or loss of function of photoreceptor cells. The investigators will test the investigator's hypothesis with the following Aims: Aim 1: Arm 1: To determine the optimal IR wavelength for visual perception in dark-adapted human participants. The investigators hypothesize that the healthy human eye will detect IR irradiation, with a maximum sensitivity at a specific wavelength. Using a broad-spectrum light source with wavelength-specific bandpass filters, the spectral range of visual perception to IR will be evaluated. Arm 2: To determine the optimal IR wavelength for visual perception in dark-adapted human participants who are colorblind. The investigators hypothesize that the colorblind human eye will detect IR irradiation, with a maximum sensitivity at a specific wavelength. Using a broad-spectrum light source with wavelength-specific bandpass filters, the spectral range of visual perception to IR will be evaluated.

Conditions

Age Related Macular Degeneration; Retinitis Pigmentosa; Congenital Stationary Night Blindness; Colorblindness

Keywords

Infrared; Dark Adaptation; Vision; Scotopic Threshold Response; Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Channels; Human

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Visual Perception to Infrared: Mean Minimal Intensity (uW) at Which Participants Could See IR Between 900 - 1400 nm.

  We measured the minimum threshold intensities (uW) via subjective perception of near IR light (900 - 1400 nm) in 50 nm intervals. After 30 minutes of dark adaptation and over three trials, participants verbalized by saying 'yes' to the minimal intensity they could see the IR stimulus as the power source for the light was slowly increased from 0V to 12 V. The voltage was averaged for the three trials at each wavelength. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate the effect of the wavelength on the threshold intensity. This was done for two groups/arms, one with normal color vision and one with colorblind vision.

  after 30 minutes of dark adaptation, up to 2 hours

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Description of Color

  after 30 minutes of dark adaptation, up to 2 hours

Study Arms (2)

Visual response to IR in healthy eyes

EXPERIMENTAL

15 healthy participants will describe IR light passing through narrow bandpass filters over a broad-spectrum light source. As intensity increases from 0 to 12 V, participants will say if/when they see a visual response to infrared light from a broadband Tungsten halogen light with narrow bandpass filters ranging from 850 nm to 1400 nm. At the end of three trials per filter, the intensity will be turned up to 12 V, and participants will describe the color they see.

Other: Tungsten halogen light with narrow bandpass filters

Visual response to IR in colorblind eyes

EXPERIMENTAL

6 colorblind participants will describe IR light passing through narrow bandpass filters over a broad-spectrum light source. As intensity increases from 0 to 12 V, participants will say if/when they see a visual response to infrared light from a broadband Tungsten halogen light with narrow bandpass filters ranging from 850 nm to 1400 nm. At the end of three trials per filter, the intensity will be turned up to 12 V, and participants will describe the color they see.

Other: Tungsten halogen light with narrow bandpass filters

Interventions

Tungsten halogen light with narrow bandpass filters OTHER

As intensity in increased from 0 to 12 V, participants will say if/when they see a visual response to infrared light from a broad band tungsten halogen light source that passes through narrow bandpass filters ranging from 850 nm to 1400 nm. At the end of three trials per filter, the intensity will be turned up to 12 V, and participants will describe the color they see.

Visual response to IR in colorblind eyes; Visual response to IR in healthy eyes

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Normal Vision
• Colorblindness
• Age related macular degeneration
• Congenital Stationary Night Blindness

You may not qualify if:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• History of eye injury
• History of eye trauma
• Pregnant women will also be excluded from Aim 2 and 3
• Persons with allergies to adhesives will be excluded from Aim 2 and 3
• Contact dermatitis
• Documented adverse reaction to dilating drops
• Documented adverse reaction to topical anesthetics
• Vulnerable populations

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of New Mexico: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131-0001, United States

Location

Related Publications (14)

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  PMID: 15078675 BACKGROUND

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  PMID: 20228791 BACKGROUND

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• Kolb H. Simple Anatomy of the Retina. 2005 May 1 [updated 2012 Jan 31]. In: Kolb H, Fernandez E, Jones B, Nelson R, editors. Webvision: The Organization of the Retina and Visual System [Internet]. Salt Lake City (UT): University of Utah Health Sciences Center; 1995-. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11533/

  PMID: 21413391 BACKGROUND

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  PMID: 25453064 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• ARVO Meeting Abstract

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Macular Degeneration; Retinitis Pigmentosa; Night blindness, congenital stationary; Color Vision Defects

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Retinal Degeneration; Retinal Diseases; Eye Diseases; Eye Diseases, Hereditary; Retinal Dystrophies; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities; Vision Disorders; Sensation Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Cone Dystrophy; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Limitations and Caveats

Color descriptions vary among individuals. Our sample size was too small to permit any assessment of gender bias. We were unable to standardize color descriptions with a reference color chart, as it was important to maintain dark adaptation in our participants. A color chart likely would have made this data more meaningful in understanding the colors reported and perceived by these participants.

Results Point of Contact

• Title: L. Olivia Hopkins
• Organization: University of New Mexico

LHopkins@salud.unm.edu

(505) 925-7769

Study Officials

• Leslie Olivia Hopkins, MD

  University of New Mexico

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: Yes

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: DIAGNOSTIC
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor-Clinical Educator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 6, 2016
• First Posted: September 21, 2016
• Study Start: September 1, 2015
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2016
• Study Completion: August 1, 2016
• Last Updated: December 13, 2024
• Results First Posted: December 13, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)