The AdaptDx® is a test, created by Maculogix® , to help identify a symptom of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at its earliest stages, namely your eye's dark adaptation ability. It does this by automatically and accurately measuring the amount of time it takes for your eye to adapt from bright light conditions to near total darkness through a series of low-light checks that measures your dark adaptation progress in short intervals. Upon completion, it gives us the Rod Intercept™ (RI), in minutes, of how long it took for your eye to reach full dark adaptation.
When should I take the AdaptDx®?
The AdaptDx® is meant to measure your dark adaptation, so your own ability to see in the dark is your best indicator of when you should take the test. You should consider taking the AdaptDx® if you experience any of the following:
- Difficulty seeing in the dark,
- Difficulty navigating/driving at night,
- Difficulty reading in dim light, and/or
- Other night vision problems.
Since this test is meant to help identify a common symptom of AMD, you should also consider this test if you fall under any of the following factors related to your risk of developing AMD, such as:
- A family history of AMD,
- Being 50 years of age or older,
- Having a heart disease, high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol,
- Overweight,
- Being a current or past smoker, or
- Caucasian.
Patients over the age of 50 will automatically be given an AMD Assessment form when checking in for their appointment.
What is the AdaptDx® test like?
The AdaptDx® test is performed in a low/no light environment, and can take between 5-10 minutes. It is usually performed near or at the end of your examination after a discussion with your doctor. The technician or associate will direct you to the AdaptDx® room and prepare the device, and then ask you to cover the non-testing eye with an eyepatch. They will then give you a button to press during the test.
The test itself will have you looking at a single red light, usually through a lens, which you will be asked to keep your focus on throughout the entire test. At the beginning, a bright light will be flashed at your eye (known as bleaching) to treat it as though it was just exposed to a bright environment. A small, very dim light will then appear throughout the test. Whenever you see that other light with your peripheral vision, you press the button, and this will continue throughout the test until its conclusion.
There are small breaks (15 seconds) throughout the test where you can relax and readjust yourself to a more comfortable position. The test itself, however, must be conducted from start to finish.
What happens after the test?
Depending on the results, you may be asked to return to perform an extended version of the AdaptDx® as part of an office visit. In either case, your results are saved to your file, and we recommend you perform the AdaptDx® test along with your yearly Eye Care Center of Ocala eye exam to monitor and track for progression.
