Assessment of human visual pathways with simultaneous multifocal recordings from retina and cortex M B Hoffmann1, A-K Cuno1, H Thieme1, A Viestenz2 |
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1Ophthalmic Department, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany |
| Simultaneous multifocal recordings of electroretinogram (mfPERG) and visual evoked potentials (mfVEPs) to pattern-reversal stimulation might allow a detailed assessment of the relationship of ganglion-cell damage and visual field defects in a direct and objective manner. We here assessed the causes of the inter-individual amplitude variability. Using VERIS Science, 21 controls (aged 21-80, 8 male) and 9 patients with primary open angle glaucoma (aged 36-80, 4 male) mfPERGs and mfVEPs were recorded monocularly for 36 visual field locations of a circular dartboard pattern (22 deg diameter). Quantitative analyses were based on mfPERG amplitudes and mfVEP signal-to-noise-ratios (SNRs). Separately conventional steady-state PERGs (ssPERG) were obtained. MfPERG amplitudes correlated with PERG amplitudes, but not with mfVEP-SNRs. Only mfPERG and ssPERG correlated negatively with age (p<0.003). Especially age-adjusted mfPERG-N95-amplitudes were reduced in glaucoma compared to controls. For ssPERGs a potential for early detection of glaucoma has previously been demonstrated. The covariability of mfPERG and PERG suggests retinal ganglion cells as common generators and it is related to participants’ age. Consequently, combined mfPERG/mfVEP investigations might serve as a tool to uncover the relationship of retinal ganglion cell damage and visual field defects. An age correction of the retinal responses is indispensable for this purpose. |
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