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aggasalk t1_j6h5wm4 wrote

right except for the reverse situation. though it is a more-or-less passive process, the rod/cone pigments are constantly regenerating at the same rate regardless of light level.

when you go into a dark room, the cones are stocked with pigment but it's useless - but it will take a few minutes for the rods to be fully stocked, since they were bleached by your earlier exposure to light.

when you step from darkness to light, there is a brief flash since suddenly all your rods pigments are isomerizing, but the cones are functioning from the get-go.

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aztronut t1_j6kbysc wrote

Full dark adaptation can take up to an hour but it varies with age and individual, typically 30-60 minutes.

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