Local visual field defects correlate with the multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) in retinal vascular branch occlusion

BACKGROUND: The value of multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) in the detection of localized retinal dysfunction in vascular branch disease at the posterior pole of the eye is investigated, and mfERG is compared with visual field defects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 10 eyes of 7 patients were tested, of which 8 eyes had a branch retinal vein occlusion and 2 eyes a branch artery occlusion. First order mfERG's were performed with the VERIS (TM) system, using 61 and 103 hexagons, and visual fields with the OCTOPUS M1 macular program. The number of hexagons with a response density loss (nV/deg (2)) of more than -2.0 standard deviations or of more than - 1.5 StDev, respectively, found in the normal population was compared with the number of disturbed test locations or total sensitivity loss (dB) of M1. RESULTS: Local perimetric defects of various extent correlated well concerning localization and sensitivity loss with mfERG response density loss (nV/deg (2)). The best correlation was the total loss of M1 (dB) versus the number of hexagons out of 103, if the criterion of - 1.5 StDev was applied (p