Macular electroretinogram as a function of age of subjects.
Macular and paramacular electroretinograms in response to two adjacent checks (6 deg/side), alternating at constant mean luminance, were recorded in 34 normal subjects ranging in age from 16 to 74 years. The macular electroretinogram declines progressively in amplitude with age (R = -0.42; P = 0.013). The amplitude ratio between macular and paramacular responses tends to be independent of age (R = -0.21; P = 0.22). Age-related changes in the macular electroretinogram shown in our study are consistent with previous anatomical and functional studies, which indicate a deterioration of photoreceptors beyond 20 years of age. These results suggest a possible use of this technique for future studies on macular degeneration.
Bagolini
B
B
Eye Clinic, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
Porciatti
V
V
Falsini
B
B
Scalia
G
G
Neroni
M
M
Moretti
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D005584:Fovea Centralis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology