Reproducible measurement of macular light flash recovery time using a novel device can indicate the presence and worsening of macular diseases.

Purpose: To determine the safety, sensitivity, and specificity of a novel flash photorecovery timing instrument with response verification in differentiating normal from abnormal maculae, and in detecting worsening macular disease. Methods: Right and left eye photorecovery times were determined at baseline and after 5 min using a xenon arc, flash filtered for infrared, ultraviolet, and visible short wavelengths, delivered through an aperture in a hand-held tube. A push-button actuated timer and flash and stopped timer when lighted numbers became visible post-flash. A numeric keypad verified responses. Normal subjects (two eyes tested, n = 144; one eye tested, n = 108) ranged in age from 15 to 84. Photorecovery times were measured in one eye of subjects with small drusen and 20/20 acuity (53–55 correct ETDRS letters; n = 57); in both eyes of subjects with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD; n = 118); wet AMD with (n = 19) or without (n = 17) macular fluid; and eyes of diabetics with background retin...