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Flash electroretinography: normative values with surface skin electrodes and no pupil dilation using a standard stimulation protocol

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Abstract

Objectives: To demonstrate the clinical feasibility of using surface electrodes for recording flash electroretinography (ERG), using the stimulation standards of the International Society for the Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV), without pupillary dilation. Methods: Eighteen physiologically normal volunteers were tested. Surface recording electrodes were placed over the middle third of the lower eyelid of each eye, and the reference electrode placed on the temple. The recording filters and method of stimulation for the standard flash cone, 30 Hz flicker, rod, standard combined and oscillatory responses were those recommended by the ISCEV. Four patients with a history of visual dysfunction were also examined. Results: The amplitudes of the responses were noted to have a high signal to noise ratio, allowing us to average only a few responses. The waveform configurations were almost identical to those published using other recording methods. Patients with retinitis pigmentosa and early onset retinal dystrophy had abnormal responses, whereas patients with Stargardt’s Syndrome and spasm of accommodation had responses within normal limits. Conclusions: This study has established the clinical feasibility of performing flash ERG using surface skin electrodes, with no pupillary dilation and using the stimulation standards of the ISCEV.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Drs. Andreas Hadjicostis and Sotirakis Fotiou, Ophthalmologists, for providing us with the clinical history of their respective patients. Our thanks also to the patients themselves for their assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 International Airport Avenue, P.O. Box 23462, Nicosia, 1683, Cyprus

    Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou & Savvas S. Papacostas

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  1. Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou
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  2. Savvas S. Papacostas
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Correspondence to Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou.

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Papathanasiou, E.S., Papacostas, S.S. Flash electroretinography: normative values with surface skin electrodes and no pupil dilation using a standard stimulation protocol. Doc Ophthalmol 116, 61–73 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-007-9065-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-007-9065-x

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