title: Luminance-modulated adaptation in the global flash mfERG: a preliminary study of early retinal functional changes in high-risk glaucoma patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association of the luminance-modulation global flash multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) and other clinical assessments of vision in subsets of subjects at high risk of developing glaucomatous damage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen subjects (28 eyes) with asymmetric glaucoma and ocular hypertension were measured in this longitudinal study of visual field, OCT, and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG). Five ophthalmic examinations were scheduled, once every 12 months over a 4-year period. The mfERG was assessed using a luminance-modulated global flash stimulation paradigm. The adaptive index which we have reported previously was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant thinning of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer over the course of the study for eyes with ocular hypertension, or for fellow eyes with asymmetric glaucoma which initially had an abnormal adaptive index; such eyes showed a thinning rate of -3.59 and -3.69 μm/year, respectively. However, no significant thinning was found for eyes which initially had a normal adaptive index. Two subjects were shown to have glaucomatous damage, confirmed by abnormal thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer and visual field loss respectively at the last visit. However, these patients had shown an abnormal adaptive index in the mfERG measurement at the first visit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The adaptive index calculated from the measurement of luminance-modulated global flash mfERG is useful for predicting progression of signs related to glaucoma, especially in high-risk groups. The abnormal adaptive index reflects the change in fast-adaptive mechanisms in the retina and indicates the risk of developing glaucoma.
authors: Laboratory of Experimental Optometry (Neuroscience), School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors: Patrick H W
authors: PH
authors: Chu
authors: Yiu-fai
authors: YF
authors: Ng
authors: Chi-ho
authors: CH
authors: To
authors: Kwok-fai
authors: KF
authors: So
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Brown
authors: Henry H L
authors: HH
authors: Chan
mesh_terms: D000221:Adaptation, Ocular; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004596:Electroretinography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents