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dark adaptation

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dark adaptation

The process by which the iris and the retina of the eye adjust to allow maximum vision in dim illumination following exposure of the eye to a relatively brighter illumination. In darkness, vision becomes more sensitive to light, provided a person has not been exposed to bright light for some time. Although exposure to total darkness for at least 30 minutes is required for complete dark adaptation, a pilot can achieve a moderate degree within 20 minutes under dim red cockpit lighting. Dark adaptation is impaired by exposure to cabin pressure altitudes above 5000 ft, carbon monoxide inhaled in smoking and from exhaust fumes, deficiency of vitamin A in the diet, and prolonged exposure to bright sunlight.
An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
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Additionally, mixed model analysis for repeated measurements with Tukey-adjusted comparisons (SAS 9.4, SAS Institute, Carey, NC, USA) was used to model the relative contributions of glycemia and dark adaptation to the variations in CRAE and CRVE.
Currently, select UC Davis Medical Center patient rooms and their window-adjacent corridors and parking areas are being designed with lighting systems that adhere to the Five Key Circadian and Lighting Quality Design Strategies and promoting the key design criteria of circadian wellness, dark adaptation and a high-fidelity visual environment for patient care.
Measurement of the full cone and rod components of dark adaptation is very time-consuming, often leading to increased variability in the results and making it unsuitable for routine clinical use.
Contrast sensitivity, colour vision and dark adaptation have all been found to be impaired in CF patients.
This means if you're observing, you'll have to be careful in order to preserve your dark adaptation. The net effect of these few lights on the night sky, however, is nil.
As an astronomer, you can take advantage of this dark adaptation. If you head outside straight from a bright room into the dark, it will be quite hard to see the stars.
Abnormalities involving light or dark adaptation, contrast sensitivity, or glutamate toxicity in the outer retina should be investigated from this perspective.
Dark adaptation, the eye's increasing ability to see under dim lighting conditions, begins after a few minutes away from bright lights, but full sensitivity requires 30 to 60 minutes.
Meticulous dark adaptation is most important; if you use a computer as your sky atlas, allow plenty of time for your eyes to readjust after every glance at your screen, even if you use a night-vision mode.
In addition, the section also explains changes in dark adaptation, contrast sensitivity, attention, temporal and spatial interaction, refraction and motility that occur with age.
Drape a dark towel over your head and eyepiece to cut out stray light; you'll need all the dark adaptation you can get.
Minimal dark adaptation of between two or three minutes is ideal and since the arcs appear to come and go it is helpful to enhance the effect by spending similar periods in the light, every few minutes, while viewing the phenomenon.
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