Electroretinographic abnormalities in a rat glaucoma model with chronic elevated intraocular pressure

The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of electroretinographic (ERG) measurements to document progression of the retinopathy in a rat glaucoma model. Thirty four rats with a chronic intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation induced in one eye by cautery of three episcleral/extra-orbital veins were studied in four separate groups. ERGs were recorded sequentially in Group A rats (n = 12) at baseline, and after approximately 20, 40 and 60 days of high IOP, and in three additional groups of rats (n = 6 or 10 per group) after approximately 58, 30 and 175 days of high IOP, respectively. Scotopic ERG parameters recorded simultaneously from both eyes in Group A rats were: a- and b-wave amplitudes, implicit times, oscillatory potential amplitudes (OPs) determined at three different light-flash intensities, and the light-adapted (photopic) ERG b-wave amplitude. In the other groups of rats, only scotopic ERG a-wave, b-wave and OP amplitudes were measured.In Group A rats that were followed sequentially, all the ERG parameters recorded with attenuated stimuli showed significant time-dependent changes in glaucomatous eyes relative to their contralateral normal eyes, with OPs showing the earliest significant difference after only 3 weeks of high IOP. When different groups of unilateral glaucomatous rats were compared beyond 8 weeks of elevated IOP only the OPs showed a continued decrease with time and good discrimination between glaucoma and normal eyes. Over a 25 week period of high IOP the scotopic OPs measured with attenuated light stimuli declined at the rate of approximately 1.5% per week and provided the best ERG measure to monitor progression of retinal pathophysiology in the vein-occlusion rat glaucoma model.     

Evidence supportive of a functional discrimination between photopic oscillatory potentials as revealed with cone and rod mediated retinopathies

We report on a family where four of the eleven children presented with reduced visual acuities, a red-green deficit at the Farnsworth-Munsel FM 100-hue test, normal appearing fundi and unexpected electroretinographic findings. Light- (photopic) and dark- (scotopic) adapted electroretinograms (ERG) and oscillatory potentials (OPs) were obtained following an accepted standard protocol. The b-wave of their photopic ERG was significantly more attenuated than the a-wave due to the specific abolition of OP4, while the amplitudes of OP2 and OP3 were within the normal range, giving to the b-wave a truncated appearance reminiscent of that seen in congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) with myopia. Interestingly in the latter condition, which is believed to result from an ON-retinal pathway anomaly, it is OP2 and OP3 which are specifically abolished while OP4 is of normal amplitude thus resulting in an OP response pattern which complements that seen with our patients. Also of interest is the fact that, in our patients, the amplitude of the dark-adapted OP2 was, on average, 240% larger than that measured in light-adaptation while, in normal, a non-significant 14% increase is noted; a finding which is in keeping with other studies reporting supernormal scotopic ERGs in some forms of cone dystrophies. Based on the photopic OP response pattern, our patients represent the electrophysiological complement of patients affected with CSNB. Interestingly their symptoms are also complementary, a finding which could support a functional discrimination between the photopic OPs. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inter-ocular and inter-session reliability of the electroretinogram photopic negative response (PhNR) in non-human primates

PURPOSE: To assess the inter-ocular and inter-session reliability for a range of parameters derived from the photopic electroretinogram (ERG) in a group of normal non-human primates. METHODS: Inter-ocular differences for photopic ERGs were assessed in a group of normal anesthetized adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta, n=29); inter-session reliability was assessed for 23 eyes of 23 animals tested 3 months later. Signals were acquired using Burian-Allen contact lens electrodes, whereby the contralateral cornea served as a reference. Photopic ERGs were elicited using red Ganzfeld flashes (-0.5-0.67 log photopic cd.sm(-2)) on a rod suppressing blue-background (30 scotopic cdm(-2)). Measurement reliability was established for a-wave, b-wave, photopic negative response (PhNR) and oscillatory potential (OP) amplitudes, as well as for their implicit times, by calculation of the 95% limits-of-agreement (LOA) and the coefficient-of-variation (COV) for each parameter. RESULTS: OP and a-wave amplitudes increased with intensity up to 0.67 log photopic cd.sm(-2), following a typical saturating function, whereas b-wave and PhNR amplitudes both declined above 0.42 log photopic cd.sm(-2). Inter-session variability was greater than inter-ocular variability. The inter-session COVs for PhNR amplitude (10-20%) were similar to the other photopic ERG components (a-wave: 12-17%, b-wave: 12-17%, OPs: 13-19%). Inter-session LOAs were also similar across components, but on average, were smallest for responses to moderate intensities (0.0-0.42 log photopic cd.sm(-2)). CONCLUSION: In non-human primates, the 95% LOA for inter-session measurements of the photopic ERG a-wave, b-wave, OPs and PhNR are all similar. Inner-retinal damage may best be measured using the PhNR amplitude for moderately bright stimulus intensities. B-wave and PhNR amplitudes for brighter flashes are smaller and more variable. The ratio of PhNR:b-wave amplitudes manifests smaller variability and may therefore be useful for detection of selective PhNR loss.     

Changes of Oscillatory Potentials and Photopic Negative Response in Patients with Early Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose

To investigate the clinical significance of the oscillatory potentials (OPs) and photopic negative response (PhNR) of the electroretinogram (ERG) in patients with early diabetic retinopathy.

Methods

One hundred two diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy at different stages were examined. Thirty-two age-matched normal controls were also studied. Full-field maximal and photopic cone ERGs were recorded. The amplitudes and implicit times of the OPs, cone b wave, and PhNR were compared at the different stages of diabetic retinopathy.

Results

The a and b wave amplitudes of the maximal scotopic ERGs remained unchanged despite advancing stages of retinopathy, but the OP amplitudes were significantly attenuated even at an early stage of diabetic retinopathy. The amplitudes of both the PhNR and cone b wave were reduced at an early stage of diabetic retinopathy. Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that the amplitudes and implicit times of the OPs were more sensitive and specific than those of the PhNR in detecting changes of retinal function in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy.

Conclusions

The amplitudes of the OPs and PhNR progressively decrease with the progression of diabetic retinopathy. The PhNR amplitudes were reduced along with the cone b wave, indicating that earlier change of the PhNR in diabetic patients reflects reduced input to the retinal ganglion cell from the distal retina. The amplitudes and implicit times of the OPs are better indicators than those of the PhNR in detecting functional decreases in patients with early diabetic retinopathy.?Jpn J Ophthalmol 2006;50:367–373 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2006     

ERGs in female carriers of incomplete Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (I-CSNB) A family report

ERG findings in five sisters are reported. By pedigree analysis, four of the five must be obligate carriers for I-CSNB since their sons were affected (impaired night vision, reduced visual acuity, variable ametropia, congenital nystagmus and ERG with both scotopic and photopic b-wave reduced amplitude). The fifth was childless at the time of examination and her ERG analysis was normal. Three of the four obligate carriers showed significant reduction in the sum of the OPs amplitude as previously reported as being an electrophysiological signs in female carriers: two without alteration in other ERG components and the third with association with a flicker ERG amplitude significantly increased. The fourth female carrier showed a normal sum of the OPs amplitude whereas the other b-wave ERG or flicker amplitudes were significantly decreased. These last two ERG results suggest a possible modifications of synaptic transmission at a post-receptoral site (outer plexiform layer or involvement of the bipolar pathways) in these two carriers.     

A comparison of oscillatory potential and pattern electroretinogram measures in diabetic retinopathy

Both basic and clinical electrophysiological investigations have established that the oscillatory potentials (OP) and pattern electroretinogram (PERG) appear to originate from retinal sites that are in proximity. The OPs, subcomponents of the flash ERG, have been shown to reflect disturbances in retinal circulation, and OP amplitude attenuation or loss may be a distinctive feature of diabetic retinopathy. The PERG has been shown to be abnormal in diseases of the optic nerve and ganglion cell body. Thus its relative sensitivity for detection of electroretinal abnormalities in diabetic retinopathy is in question. This study assessed the sensitivity of ERG and OP measures in their detection of abnormalities of electroretinal function in diabetic patients referred to our laboratory. Thirty-five adult Type I patients were studied: 21 with background retinopathy (BR group), 14 with no evidence of background retinopathy (No BR group), and 25 normal control subjects.Monocular OPs were recorded to full-field ganzfeld stimulation at four stimulus intensities. PERGs were obtained from checkerboard pattern reversal stimulation (checksize = 30 arc). Peak-to-peak amplitude and peak implicit time measures of PERGs and OPs were obtained. Subsequent multivariate analysis demonstrated significant differences between normals and diabetic patients, including diabetics with no clinical evidence of retinopathy. In addition, the OP and PERG implicit times appear to be unaffected while OP and PERG amplitudes were diminished in patients with background retinopathy. Only OP amplitudes were found to be significantly diminished in diabetic patients with no photographic evidence of background retinopathy. The PERGs were normal in these patients. Overall, the OP amplitude measures were more sensitive than PERG measures in detecting abnormalities in patients with no retinal photographic evidence of background retinopathy.     

Oscillatory potentials and the b-Wave: Partial masking and interdependence in dark adaptation and diabetes in the rat

Background Diabetes inhibits dark adaptation and both processes alter the electroretinogram (ERG) in similar ways. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oscillatory potentials (OPs) and the b-wave during dark adaptation and to determine if this relationship changes during the development of diabetes. Methods Twenty-one rats were assigned to adaptation, control and diabetic groups. Rats were dark adapted for periods between 20 minutes and 4 hours, and ERGs recorded. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin, and ERGs measured after 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after injection. Results Increasing periods of dark adaptation led to a logarithmic increase in the amplitude of the b-wave and the OPs. This was accompanied by a decrease in the peak times of the OPs and b-wave. Total OP amplitude and b-wave amplitude were linearly related, allowing an empirical OP constant to be developed to describe the relationship between the two parameters. Diabetes led to a progressive decrease in the amplitude and increase in the peak time of all waves. The OP constant decreased in a linear fashion with increasing duration of diabetes. Conclusions It is argued that OP masking of the b-wave could explain previous inconsistencies in reported ERG changes in diabetes and that a slowing of dark adaptation does not account for these ERG changes. The report concludes that the OPs and b-wave amplitudes and latencies are intimately related in the normal retina and that this correlation is lost predictably during the development of diabetes.     

ERG Oscillatory Potentials in Infants

Purpose: Study the scotopic and photopic oscillatory potentials (OPs) of the electroretinogram (ERG) in 10-week old infants. Methods: Term-born 10-week old infants (n = 15) and adults (n = 12) were tested. Full-field ERGs were recorded under scotopic and photopic conditions. The records were filtered (75–300 Hz) to demonstrate the oscillatory wavelets. The amplitudes and implicit times of the infants’ OPs were compared to those in adults and also to amplitudes of the saturated photoreceptor responses. Results: In infants, the mean OP amplitudes are similar in scotopic and photopic conditions and do not vary significantly with OP number. Infants’ OPs are significantly smaller than in adults, with scotopic OPs averaging 19% of that in adults and photopic OPs averaging 47%, whereas the amplitudes of the saturated photoreceptor responses are 43% and 66% of those in adults. Mean interpeak intervals are similar in infants and adults, indicating oscillatory behavior at a frequency of 155 Hz in scotopic conditions and 135 Hz in photopic conditions. Conclusions: In young infants, the OPs are relatively immature compared to the photoreceptor responses, with the immaturity of the scotopic responses being more marked than that of the photopic responses.     

Electroretinogram in cone dystrophy.

Electroretinograms (ERGs) in 10 cases of cone dystrophy were studied with special respect to log(bp/bs) that represents the log of photopic ERG amplitude divided by scotopic ERG amplitude. Photopic ERGs were either greatly diminished or nonrecordable, and scotopic ERGs showed either normal or reduced amplitudes. All cases had a low value of log(bp/bs), less than the lower normal limit, indicating significantly greater impairment in cone function than in rod function. These results have proved log(bp/bs) to be helpful in confirming the diagnosis of cone dystrophy especially in cases with recordable photopic ERG and reduced scotopic ERG. Among other ERG parameters, the photopic ERG b-wave implicit time that was determined with averaging and digital amplification of the responses in 4 cases showed prolongation in 3 cases while normal in one case. Oscillatory potentials were nonrecordable or barely recordable in all cases.     

Time courses for maturation of electroretinogram responses from infancy to adulthood

The purpose of this study was to determine how responses in the normal human electroretinogram (ERG) change with subject age. We studied 62 children, 10 days to 15 years old, and 30 subjects 15–37 years old, using the standard protocol established by the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision, with Burian-Allen bipolar contact-lens electrodes. We measured rod response, maximal response, oscillatory potentials (OPs), cone response, flicker response, and b-wave amplitude/log intensity (V/log I) curve. A logistic growth curve was used to describe the developmental changes. Dark- and light-adapted ERG a- and b-wave amplitudes reached adult levels by three to five years of age, although b-wave amplitudes of scotopic rod-mediated responses were slower to reach maturity than mixed rod-cone mediated responses. In early infancy OPs were the most immature of the ERG responses, although the rate of development thereafter exceeded that of the other responses such that OP amplitudes were within adult levels by two years of age. Amplitudes of the ERG responses in 21 children sedated with chloral hydrate did not differ significantly from 21 who had not been sedated. ERG responses developed at varying rates, reflecting different developmental stages in photoreceptors, middle retinal layers and more proximal retina. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The 52nd ISCEV International Symposium Abstract Issue

Purpose

We have monitored retinal function in patients treated for retinoblastoma (primarily, but not exclusively by intra-arterial chemotherapy infusion) by electroretinography (ERG) recordings for the past 7 years. We here present data from 599 ERG studies of 108 patients, in which a complete ERG protocol including both photopic and scotopic recordings was performed, in justification of our frequent practice of reporting primarily 30-Hz photopic flicker amplitude data.

Methods

Patients referred for treatment of retinoblastoma underwent ERG recordings during examination under anesthesia whenever possible: at baseline and following most treatment sessions. Correlations were calculated for the complete datasets between the four primary amplitude response parameters: photopic single flash b-wave, photopic 30-Hz flicker peak-to-trough, scotopic rod-isolating b-wave, and scotopic maximal flash b-wave.

Results

Using our adaptation of the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision-recommended standard ERG protocol, ERG responses of eyes of patients with untreated retinoblastoma or following traditional or intra-arterial treatment for retinoblastoma show very high correlations between 30-Hz flicker amplitude responses and three other standard photopic and scotopic ERG response amplitudes. Reductions in ERG amplitudes seen in these eyes following treatment show no significant difference between retinal dysfunction estimated using rod- or cone-dominated responses.

Conclusion

These observations support the use of photopic response amplitudes (especially in response to 30-Hz flicker) as the primary ERG outcome measure in studies of treated and untreated eyes with retinoblastoma when more complete ERG protocols may be impractical.     

Oscillatory potential analysis and ERGs of normal and diabetic rats

PURPOSE: To identify and characterize the early alterations of the ERG oscillatory potentials (OPs) under conditions of poor glycemic control associated with diabetes in an animal model. To characterize and correlate the a- and b-wave properties of the ERGs of diabetic animals in parallel with the changes in oscillatory potentials. METHODS: Blood sugars, weights, and ERGs were measured for a group of rats each week for 3 weeks to obtain baseline information. A single injection of streptozotocin was given to the experimental animals. Weights, blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin, and detailed ERGs were recorded weekly for up to 12 weeks in control and experimental animals. RESULTS: OP kinetics were found to be inherently related to amplitude. Amplitude-matched OPs were delayed in diabetic animals when compared with baseline data from the same animal. The kinetics of OPs in control animals stayed the same or were slightly accelerated relative to their baseline values. For a given recording condition, OP kinetics were very stable over time and this stability was not disturbed in diabetic animals. Diabetic animals showed a small but significant delay in the a-wave, but no change in b-wave timing. The sensitivity of the b-wave was reduced twofold, but that of the a-wave was not changed. CONCLUSIONS: OPs have been used to evaluate retinal function in both diabetic models and patients. The comparison of amplitude-matched OPs is a robust determinant of changes in kinetics. Researchers and clinicians who use OPs may wish to consider the relationship between OP amplitude and kinetics to avoid confounding assessments of abnormalities. The amplitude versus kinetics relationship does not change form in diabetic animals; it is merely shifted (delayed) on the time axis.     

Quantitative relationship of the scotopic and photopic ERG to photoreceptor cell loss in light damaged rats

In order to use the ERG to track the effects of potential photoreceptor rescue treatments, we have compared retinal histology to the ERG in light damage. Male albino CD rats (40) were purchased at 7 weeks of age and reared in 50 lx cyclic light until 8 week old. They were exposed to a range of light intensities using white fluorescent light (1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 or 3000 lx) for 24 or 48 hr (n = 5 per group). Controls remained in dim cyclic light. Seven days after exposure, dark and light adapted ERGs were recorded from threshold up to 200 cd m-2 using 50 ms Ganzfeld white light stimuli. The STR, and scotopic and photopic b-wave thresholds and amplitudes were measured. After recording the ERG, the eyes were removed from the animals in each of the five 48 hr light exposed groups and control group for histological measurements. These included: (1) outer nuclear layer width in rod photoreceptor cell number (cell count) and micrometers, and (2) outer + inner segment layer width along the vertical meridian in the inferior retina. The product of cell count and outer + inner segment length was calculated. All histological measures showed a statistically significant linear relationship to light exposure intensity (P < 0.0001): r2 = 0.94 (cell count), 0.90 (outer nuclear layer width), 0.77 (outer + inner segment length). The log of the scotopic b-wave threshold and log amplitude showed a significant linear correlation to all histological parameters (P < 0.0001) and there was no significant difference between b-wave threshold and amplitude for any one of the histology measures used. However, overall, log b-wave threshold was significantly better correlated to histology P < 0.02. Only log b-wave amplitude showed a significant increase in variability in light damaged retinas (P < 0.02). The b-wave threshold intensity increased 0.33 log cd m-2 and the maximum amplitude decreased 0.23 log microV with each 10% decrease in cell number in the outer nuclear layer. The sensitivity of the scotopic threshold response, which originates from third order neurons, changed much more slowly with cell loss, than did the b-wave (P < 0.0005) and was well fit by a linear relationship to cell loss. The increase in photopic b-wave threshold was not significant for a cell loss of less than 70-80%. Neither the photopic or scotopic b-wave could be reliably recorded with more than 80% cell loss, but the scotopic threshold response remained. Both the scotopic and photopic ERG showed similar waveform changes near the threshold, including loss of the positive going b-wave and the predominance of a negative going response. Outer nuclear layer cell counts in this study showed the same relationship to log b-wave threshold elevation, as has been previously shown for whole retinal rhodopsin content in light damage, indicating that regional histology measurements can be good indicators of overall cell survival. Both the b-wave threshold and amplitude can be reliably used to track photoreceptor cell loss due to the damaging effects of constant light, but the scotopic threshold response may be more useful in severe damage.     

Effect of levodopa on the human luminance electroretinogram

Scotopic and photopic electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded in 12 healthy volunteers before and 90 and 180 min after administration of levodopa. After 90 min the drug significantly increased the scotopic ERG b-wave amplitude and implicit time. The dark-adapted oscillatory potentials (OPs) were selectively affected, while no changes were observed in the photopic ERG. Levodopa had no effect on the ERG after 180 min drug applications. As a control, the experimental procedure was repeated without drug administration, and no changes were observed.     

影响视网膜脱离患者视网膜功能的因素

目的:评价视网膜脱离患者年龄、病程、视网膜脱离面积、黄斑脱离情况等因素对视网膜功能的影响。方法:将孔源性视网膜脱离(retinal detachment,RD)188例189眼的患者年龄、病程、视网膜脱离面积、黄斑脱离情况、视力与视网膜脱离眼的fERG和mfERG各指标进行相关分析。结果:影响RD眼fERG和mfERG的主要因素是脱离面积、黄斑脱离和视力。以|γ|>0.4,且P≤0.05判定为有相关性。脱离面积与明视和暗适应最大反应ERG a、b波幅值,30Hz闪烁光幅值,OPs波数和幅值负相关;与mfERG象限野P1波幅值密度、幅值负相关。相关系数最高者为fERG暗适应最大反应b波幅值(γ=-0.704)。黄斑脱离与明视和暗适应最大反应ERG b波幅值,30Hz闪烁光ERG幅值负相关;与mfERG环形野环1的P1波幅值密度、幅值负相关,与mfERG象限野P1波幅值密度负相关,相关系数最高者为mfERG环形野环1的P1波幅值(γ=-0.584)。视力与明视和暗适应最大反应a、b波幅值,30Hz闪烁光幅值,OPs子波数和幅值正相关;与mfERG环形野环1的P1波幅值密度、幅值正相关,相关系数最高者为30Hz闪烁光ERG幅值(γ=0.597)。RD眼的fERG异常率最高者为暗适应最大反应ERG b波幅值,异常率为71.3%,视网膜脱离象限野mfERG异常率最高者为P1波幅值,异常率为85.3%。结论:影响RD患者视网膜功能的重要因素是脱离面积和黄斑脱离情况。RD眼对视网膜功能异常反应的mfERG对视网膜功能异常反应的敏感性高于fERG。     

Analysis of photoreceptor function and inner retinal activity in juvenile X-linked retinoschisis

Thirteen retinoschisis males with genotyped XLRS1 gene mutations were examined by electroretinogram (ERG) techniques to determine photoreceptor involvement and ON-pathway and OFF-pathway sites of dysfunction. Parameters R(max) and logS determined by fitting the mathematical model of the activation phase of phototransduction to the scotopic and photopic a-wave responses, were not significantly different from normal. However, the XLRS photopic a-wave amplitudes were significantly lower than normal across all intensities, consistent with defective signaling in the OFF pathway. Long flash (150 ms) ON-OFF photopic responses showed reduced b-wave amplitude but normal d-wave amplitude, giving a reduced b/d ratio of <1.32 Hz photopic flicker ERG fundamental frequency responses showed reduced amplitude and delayed phase, consistent with abnormal signaling by both the ON- and OFF-pathway components. These results indicate that the XLRS1 protein appears not to affect photoreceptor function directly for most XLRS males, and that ERG signaling abnormalities occur in both the ON- and OFF-pathway components that originate in the proximal retina.     

Structural and functional maturation of the retina of the albino Hartley guinea pig

PURPOSE: Altricial animals, such as rats and mice, are born with their eyes closed, compared to precocial animals, such as guinea pigs and humans, which have their eyes opened at birth. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the retina of guinea pigs (precocial animal) is subjected to a postnatal maturation process similar to that previously reported for rodents. METHODS: Photopic and scotopic electroretinograms (ERG) and retinal histology were obtained from albino guinea pigs aged P1 to P75. RESULTS: Photopic ERG responses reached maximal amplitudes at P5 (a-and b-waves), that is 5 days (b-wave) to 10 days (a-wave) earlier than scotopic responses. However, the postnatal gain in b-wave amplitude was significantly (P < 0.05) more important for the cone (73.38 +/- 4.4%) signal than for the rod (15.23 +/- 3.96%), suggesting that the rod function is more mature at birth. Similarly, the short latency photopic oscillatory potential (ie: OP2) reached its maximal value 5 days (P10) earlier than its scotopic equivalent (P15), while the long latency OPs (ie: OP3, OP4), reached their maximal values nearly 20 days sooner in scotopic condition. Finally retinal histology revealed a thinning of the retina with age, the latter being most pronounced at the level of the ganglion cell layer (GCL). CONCLUSION: Our results thus confirm that despite its relative maturity at birth (compared to rodents), the retina of newborn albino guinea pigs undergoes significant postnatal maturation modifying its structure as well as its function, albeit not as extensive as that previously documented for altricial animals.     

Selective abnormality of the cone B-wave in a patient with retinal degeneration

A 44-year-old woman with midperipheral pigmentary changes that resemble retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is described; unlike typical patients with RP, her photopic b-wave was markedly attenuated as compared with her photopic a-wave. Otherwise, her electroretinogram (ERG) was typical of patients with early stages of photoreceptor degeneration. Scotopic and photopic a-wave amplitudes were reduced about 50%; her scotopic b/a appeared normal.     

Electroophthalmological characteristics in ischemic retinopathy (author's transl)]

In the ERG the b-wave and the oscillatory potentials are reduced or nonrecordable in ischemic retinopathy. The photopic b-wave appeared to be more sensitive than the scotopic b-wave. In the EOG the slow oscillation is reduced. These clinical observations are in accordance with the results of experimental studies in rhesus monkeys.     

Oscillatory potential changes related to stimulus intensity and light adaptation

The oscillatory potentials (OPs) are a series of subcomponents of the flash ERG which probably originate in the inner plexiform layer of the retina. Abnormal OPs in various forms of retinopathy include central retinal vein occlusion, congenital stationary night blindness, and diabetic retinopathy. We investigated the effects of stimulus intensity and light adaptation on the OP components identified in our laboratory. OPs were recorded from 20 adult eyes to full-field ganzfeld stimulation at four stimulus intensities from 12 to 62cd/m². Stimulus flashes were superimposed over a steady background luminance in the ganzfeld. Four background luminances were used over a 3-log unit range from mesopic to photopic levels. Peak-to-peak amplitude and peak implicit time measures of the OPs were obtained. Latency-intensity functions were derived for each of the four OP components at each light-adaptation level. These latency-intensity functions revealed similar curve fitting slopes for all OP subcomponents at lower light-adaptation levels. At higher levels of light adaptation the later subcomponents (OP3 and OP4) showed a flattening of the slope of the latency-intensity function. The investigator concludes that this saturation effect is related to an interaction of rod and cone contribution to the OP waveform.