The pattern electroretinogram

Abstract

Physiological experiments and the exploitation of clinical conditions have provided compelling evidence that retinal ganglion cells and other inner retinal structures generate the pattern ERG (PERG). As an increasing number of clinical reports have been published some contradictory findings have been reported. These may be ascribed to variation in recording and measuring techniques. The PERG consists of two major portions, the early positive and the following negative component which can be investigated separately if the stimulus conditions allow isolated (or "transient") responses to be recorded. Care has to be taken in positioning the reference electrode, maintaining accurate refraction, and the influence of pupil size must be considered. Furthermore the PERG is contaminated by a luminance component which may be generated in the outer retina. The size of this increases with low spatial frequency (large check-sizes) and high mean luminance. The PERG permits the examination of an additional level of the retina and helps the understanding of pathophysiology of various eye diseases, and is of clinical importance in routine diagnosis and assessment. In glaucoma the PERG amplitude is often reduced before it is possible to detect a scotoma and it is therefore an important prognostic indicator in patients with ocular hypertension. In diabetic retinopathy, retinal ischaemia sufficient to lead to the pre-proliferative state can be demonstrated. The PERG also has a major clinical role in examining localised retinal pathology. If combined with VECP recording, it greatly extends the interpretations possible, since not only can damage to the optic nerve be detected by both tests, but the normal PERG in the presence of an abnormal PVECP implies that the losses are confined to the central pathway.