The role of the ERG in the diagnosis and treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is affecting an increasing number of people, with 2.95 million people estimated to be affected in the USA by 2020. Possible preventive agents, such as vitamins and supplements have been studied and new treatment options for AMD have been developed in recent years. What role does electrophysiology play as a sensitive outcome measure? The most commonly used tests are the full-field electroretinogram (ffERG) and the multifocal ERG (mfERG). Test results from patients with AMD and reduced central vision need special attention in respect to fixation pattern, age-matched control data, and retinal luminance. Advantages, disadvantages and limitations of techniques will be considered, together with a review of published studies.
Gerth
Christina
C
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rostock, Doberaner Str. 140, 18055, Rostock, Germany. chgerth@web.de
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab