Pathologic scotopization: a shortened Nagel-II anomaloscopic micro-screw method.

The Nagel-II micro-screw method uses eleven colour equations between 620 and 560 nm. The luminance settings are given and are based on the data of colour normal individuals. In the shortened version, intended to detect pathologic scotopization, it is ascertained at which position of the micro-screw the patient's colour adjustments drop beneath the level of 60 scale Units. A total of 64 patients was examined. 29 congenital colour defectives and 35 acquired colour defectives. With the shortened micro-screw method the patients can be divided into four groups: (1) a group without pathologic scotopization, which includes congenital protan defectives: (2) a group in which pathologic scotopization starts; (3) a group with evident pathologic scotopization, due to Stargardt's disease and other cone dystrophies; and (4) a group with complete pathologic scotopization, which includes the congenital achromats and the end-stages of the cone dystrophies.