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Home » Eye Care Services » Treatment of Eye Disease » Advanced Technology » RAPDx Expanded Pupil Examination

RAPDx Expanded Pupil Examination

RAPDx is a computerized pupillographer that is designed to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect. This type of pupil defect is known as RAPD and can occur in several eye diseases and neurologic conditions.

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The RAPDx uses visible light to stimulate pupil responses, and then calculates from these responses the magnitude of the relative afferent pupillary defect.

Are You At Risk For

  • Glaucoma
  • Retinal Disease
  • Optic Nerve Disease
  • Brain Tumor
  • Neurologic Disease

RAPDx Expanded Pupil Examination

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The RAPDx test is a non-invasive, non-contact procedure.

  • Quick
    • usually takes 1-5 minutes
  • Painless
    • nothing ever touches your eye
  • Safe
    • FDA listed
  • Effective
    • more information

Relative Afferent Pupillary Defect

A relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) generally occurs when there is a difference in the severity of a disease process between the eyes.

  • Decreased central vision does not necessarily correlate with a relative afferent pupillary defect.
  • Decreased peripheral vision does correlate with a relative afferent papillary defect.
  • Some eye diseases will lead to a significant decrease in visual acuity with a RAPD, while other conditions present with good visual acuity.
  • A relative afferent pupillary defect can also be detected with a “swinging flashlight” test by a skilled observer.
  • If each eye has an equal amount of damage from a disease process, there will be no detectable RAPD.

Eye diseases that may lead to a RAPD

Glaucoma: Even though glaucoma usually affects both eyes, if the disease is more severe in one eye, a RAPD may be detected.

Retinal Disease: Diabetic retinopathy, arterial occlusions, sickle-cell retinopathy and retinal detachments may produce a RAPD.

Optic Nerve Disease: Disorders such as optic neuritis are a common cause of RAPD.

Brain Tumor: Lesions of the midbrain such as pineal tumors and lesions that compress the optic chiasm will often produce a RAPD.

Neurological Disease: The presence of a RAPD may help to confirm abnormalities found in other diagnostic tests, such as a visual field defect in one eye. Cerebral infarct does not usually cause a RAPD.

Reduce Your Risk

Our office now includes the RAPDx Expanded Pupil Examination when we provide comprehensive eye examinations. This state-of-the-art technology allows us to detect pupil abnormalities and prescribe a diagnostic program if eye disease or neurologic conditions are suspected.

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