Main Entry: dark adaptation

Pronunciation: \ˌdärk-\

Function: noun

: the phenomena including dilation of the pupil, increase in retinal sensitivity, shift of the region of maximum luminosity toward the blue, and regeneration of rhodopsin by which the eye adapts to conditions of reduced illumination—compare light adaptation

—dark–adapt·ed \ˈdärk-ə-ˌdap-təd\ adjective