What is an Electroretinogram?

An electroretinogram (ERG) is a diagnostic test that is used to assess the overall function of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. During an ERG test, small contact lens electrodes are placed on the surface of the eye to detect the electric potential created by retinal cells in response to light stimuli. The electroretinogram reflects retinal function by measuring the summed electrical activity of different retinal cell types, including photoreceptors and bipolar, amacrine and ganglion cells. Specifically, an Global Electroretinogram measures the electrical response of the retina to light flashes or patterns. This helps the eye doctor determine if there are any problems with the retina or visual pathway.

Types of ERG Tests

There are three main types of ERGs that can be done during testing:

Full-field ERG: This test measures the overall retinal response from the entire retina to a bright flash of light. It is useful for detecting disorders that affect large areas of the retina such as retinitis pigmentosa.

Multifocal ERG: In this test, small areas of the retina are stimulated individually with a distinct bright flash while responses are recorded simultaneously from multiple areas of the retina. This is useful for detecting local retinal disorders likemacular degeneration.

Single-flash or Flicker ERG: This test measures retinal responses to either a brief flash or to a stimulus that flickers on and off at a steady frequency (30 flashes per second). It helps distinguish between outer retinal layer and inner retinal layer problems.

Standard Protocol for an ERG

Most ERG exams follow a standard protocol to ensure consistent and reliable results. Typically, the eye is darkened adapted for at least 10 minutes prior to testing. This allows the retinal cells to become accustomed to the dark. A non-invasive electrode is placed on the eye along with a reference and ground electrode on the skin. The patient is presented with light flashes of increasing intensity under computer control. The electrical retinal responses are recorded by the electrodes. Both eyes are tested and the results are compared to normative data. The entire exam usually takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete.

What the ERG Results Can Indicate

By analyzing the amplitude (height or strength) and latency (timing) of the ERG waveforms, eye doctors can understand how well the different retinal layers are functioning. Abnormalities in the ERG reading can help point to various posterior eye diseases and conditions. For example:

Reduced or absent a-waves often suggest a problem with the photoreceptors (rods and cones) and may indicate conditions like retinitis pigmentosa.

Reduced b-wave amplitude is typical of inner retinal layer diseases like diabetic retinopathy or optic nerve problems affecting retinal ganglion cell function.

Prolonged or delayed ERG latency times may indicate a retinal pathology affecting the speed of neural transmission in the retina.

Overall amplitude reduction across all waves could signal a global retinal disorder such as retinitis pigmentosa.

Investigating Global Retinal Function

As retinal diseases often affect vision globally across both eyes, researchers have studied ways to analyze retinal responses over a wider retinal area using techniques like the global flash ERG. This test involves simultaneously illuminating both eyes together with a widespread blanket of light rather than isolated spots or flashes. The electrical activity is picked up from the corneal surface. Such global ERG testing may provide new insights into treating and monitoring retinal conditions that impact sight bilaterally.

Global ERG Advantages and Applications

There are several potential advantages to the global ERG approach:

It allows for assessing overall binocular retinal function as the two eyes are stimulated together as normally occurs during natural vision. This more closely mimics real-world visual scenarios.

The globally derived ERG waveforms tend to have higher amplitudes since they capture the summed retinal activity from two retinas simultaneously. This enhances diagnostic accuracy.

It could provide a more efficient technique for monitoring retinal function and treatment efficacy in hereditary retinal dystrophies that affect both eyes like retinitis pigmentosa.

The global ERG may be useful as an objective method to evaluate new retinal prosthetic or gene therapy trials that aim to restore vision bilaterally. Any treatment effects across both retinas could register on global ERG recordings.

With further standardization, the global ERG protocol may eventually translate to a quicker bedside or office-based test to estimate retinal health compared to traditional full-field ERGs requiring darker settings.

The global ERG methodology shows promise as a supplemental approach worth additional research to optimize its role in investigating binocular vision problems and developing new retinal disease therapies. As technology continues enhancing our understanding of retinal electrophysiology, new ERG techniques will keep emerging to benefit patient care.

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