Influence of age on the multifocal electroretinography

The influence of age on the amplitude density (nV/sq deg) of the multifocal electroretinogram (ERG) was studied in 90 healthy subjects aged 18-52 years. Subjects were divided into three separate age groups; (i) 18-22 years (ii) 33-37 years and (iii) 48-52 years. Amplitude density of first order kernel of the multifocal ERG was measured for the three different age groups. When the whole response of the retina is considered, analysis of variance showed no significant differences in amplitude density between the three age groups. (ANOVA, df. 2, 87 F = 2.29, p = 0.11. However if the responses were segregated into a central area and concentric rings around the central area, analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences in responses between rings at different eccentricities and between different age groups (Anova F = 76.19, df. 17, 522, p = 0.00001). Post hoc analysis showed that the responses from the centre and the second ring around the centre of fixation for 48-52 year olds were significantly lower than those responses from the 33-37 year old and the 18-22 year old age groups. The decline in the multifocal ERG in the central retina of the 48-52 year olds could be associated with the decline of the number of photoreceptors as the eye ages. Student t test revealed no significant differences in amplitude density between males and females.