[Multifocal steady-state pattern-reversal electroretinography in glaucoma patients].
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to answer the question of whether multifocal steady-state pattern-reversal electroretinography (ERG) is capable of detecting glaucomatous visual field defects.


METHODS
Sixteen patients (28 eyes) and ten normal subjects (20 eyes) were examined. Multifocal pattern ERGs were recorded with the RETIscan system and DTL electrodes. We stimulated with a steady-state checkerboard pattern reversal (three reversals during 171 ms sweep length, congruent with 17.5 reversals/s). The multifocal pattern ERG amplitudes were evaluated using discrete Fourier transformation (DFT) across three reversals. In cases of advanced glaucoma, the DFT-calculated amplitudes were combined in hemispheres and checked for correlations with corresponding visual field defects. In all binocularly examined persons, side comparisons ("worse" eye vs "better" eye), and interindividual comparisons (glaucoma vs normal) were carried out.


RESULTS
In interindividual comparisons and interocular side comparisons, significant amplitude reductions of the "worse" eyes were seen in the foveal records. No topographical correlation between multifocal pattern ERG amplitudes and visual field defects could be found.


CONCLUSIONS
In glaucomatous visual field defects, multifocal steady-state pattern-reversal ERG using the present stimulation was significantly reduced in its foveal records but seems to be incapable of detecting them topographically.
Lindenberg
Th
T
Augenklinik mit Poliklinik der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen. Thomas.Lindenberg@augen.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Horn
F K
FK
Korth
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D015348:Vision, Binocular / Q000502:physiology; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*