Red goggles were used by radiologists to aid dark adaptation prior to fluoroscopy in the era before image intensifiers were introduced. They were originally developed by Wilhelm Trendelenburg, a German physiologist in 1916. The early fluoroscopic screens were crude giving poor visualisation and requiring the radiologist to work in almost complete darkness. Wearing red goggles prior to fluoroscopic procedures allowed the retinal rods to be sensitised and reduced the length of time taken to adapt to darkness. Image intensifiers linked to TV cameras were introduced in the 1950’s eliminating the need for red goggles.

It was known that some radiologists wore red goggles whilst driving between hospitals in order to reduce the length of time taken for dark adaptation!