Photic light should be how far from a patient's eyes?

The correct distance for photic light from a patient's eyes is 12 inches. This specific distance is recommended to ensure that the light stimulus used during testing is effective in eliciting the necessary physiological responses without causing discomfort or glare that could interfere with the results of the study.

Placing the photic light too close, such as at 6 inches, may result in excessive brightness and discomfort, potentially leading to altered reactions or effort from the patient to look away. Conversely, positioning the light too far, such as at 18 inches or 24 inches, might reduce the effectiveness of the light stimulus in triggering the desired responses in the brain, as the intensity of the light diminishes with distance.

By maintaining the photic light at 12 inches, the test achieves a balance that maximizes stimulus effectiveness and minimizes patient discomfort, which is crucial for obtaining reliable and consistent results in the testing environment.