Quantifying retinal irradiance levels in light damage experiments.

From knowledge of the optical parameters of experimental animal eyes and radiometric parameters of the light source, it is possible to provide accurate retinal irradiances (dose rates). Examples are given for the rat, cat, monkey and other animals of interest. Fluorescent lamps and incandescent lamp radiances are provided and from them, retinal irradiances are given. These levels are compared with daylight exposure conditions. It is explained that small animal eyes received the highest light levels at the retina.