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Pupillometry in Diseases of the Retina and Optic Nerve

https://doi.org/10.18008/1816-5095-2026-1-129-139

Abstract

Changes in pupillary reflex parameters depend on the state of the visual analyzer and nervous system. Pupillometry is an accurate and

easy-to-use method for diagnosing pupillary reflex, which can detect pathology at the preclinical level. An analysis of literary sources showed that scientists around the world are interested in changes in pupil parameters in patients with various ophthalmological pathologies: pigment retinitis, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, central retinal vein occlusion, optic neuritis, and ischemic optic neuropathy. Determined that when the ganglion complex and nerve fibers of the retina and the optic nerve head are affected, pupillary reaction dysfunction occurs in various ophthalmological diseases. The severity of changes in pupillometry parameters is comparable to the severity of damage to the retina and optic nerve, which is confirmed by optical coherence tomography protocols. Scientists also took into account the fact that rods, cones, and ganglion cells have different activation thresholds and differ in reaction properties, so to assess their function, they proposed using stimuli of different colors and different intensities, which contributed to the emergence of such a diagnostic method as chromatic pupillometry. Color stimuli were also used to study pupillary response in optic nerve diseases; scientists noted differences in pupillary reflex parameters when exposed to red or blue stimuli. Studying the possibility of using pupillometry as an effective screening method in diagnosing ophthalmological diseases is a promising scientific direction.

About the Authors

M. A. Frolov
RUDN University; Clinical and diagnostic center of the RUDN University
Russian Federation

Frolov Michael A., MD, Professor, head of the Eye Diseases Department; director of the Ophthalmology Center

Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, Moscow, 117198; 
Miklukho-Maklaya str., 10, Moscow,117198



I. V. Vorobyova
RUDN University; Clinical and diagnostic center of the RUDN University
Russian Federation

Vorobyeva Irina V., MD, Professor, Professor of the Eye Diseases Department; ophthalmologist of the Ophthalmology Center 

Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, Moscow, 117198; 
Miklukho-Maklaya str., 10, Moscow,117198



A. M. Frolov
RUDN University; Clinical and diagnostic center of the RUDN University
Russian Federation

Frolov Alexandr M., PhD, Associate Professor of the Eye Diseases Department; ophthalmologist of the Ophthalmology Center 

Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, Moscow, 117198; 
Miklukho-Maklaya str., 10, Moscow,117198



N. A. Suponeva
Russian Сenter of Neurology and Neurosciences
Russian Federation

Suponeva Natalia A., MD, Professor, Corresponding Member of RAS, head of Institute

Volokolamsk highway, 80, Moscow, 125367



D. A. Semina
RUDN University; Clinical and diagnostic center of the RUDN University
Russian Federation

Semina Daria A., assistant of the Eye Diseases Department; ophthalmologist of the Ophthalmology Center 

Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, Moscow, 117198; 
Miklukho-Maklaya str., 10, Moscow,117198



L. V. Yakubovsky
RUDN University
Russian Federation

Yakubovskiy Leonid V., second‑year medical resident of the Eye Diseases Department 

Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, Moscow, 117198



E. Sabih
RUDN University
Russian Federation

Sabih Evan, second‑year medical resident of the Eye Diseases Department 

Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, Moscow, 117198



K. H.K. Maala
RUDN University
Russian Federation

Maala Karrar H.K., first‑year medical resident of the Eye Diseases Department 

Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, Moscow, 117198



G. L. Grigoryan
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation

Grigoryan Grigorii L., research fellow

Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, 119234



S. A. Bokarev
Mother and Child Clinic
Russian Federation

Bokarev Sergey A., ophthalmologist

Green ave., 66/2, Moscow, 111396



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Review

For citations:


Frolov M.A., Vorobyova I.V., Frolov A.M., Suponeva N.A., Semina D.A., Yakubovsky L.V., Sabih E., Maala K.H., Grigoryan G.L., Bokarev S.A. Pupillometry in Diseases of the Retina and Optic Nerve. Ophthalmology in Russia. 2026;23(1):129-139. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18008/1816-5095-2026-1-129-139

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ISSN 1816-5095 (Print)
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