Dark adaptor goggles

They were invented by Wilhelm Trendelenburg in 1916, based on the work by Antoine Béclère on dark adaptation of the eye.

Since retinal rods have limited sensitivity to long wavelengths of light, such as red light, while retinal cones do not, the goggles enabled the physicians to adapt their eyes in preparation for the fluoroscopic procedure while still being able to perform other work.

Prior to the invention of these goggles, physicians were required to sit in the darkened room where the procedure would be performed for extended periods to adapt their eyes to the low lighting conditions.

Dark adaptor goggles are often used by pilots, weather observers, and physicians to preserve their natural night vision.

They also aid with the identification of clouds during bright sunshine or glare from snow.