Bright-flash electroretinography for the evaluation of eyes with opaque vitreous

Standard retinal function tests are of limited value in assessing retinal function in eyes with opaque vitreous. We developed a method for obtaining an electroretinogram (ERG) from eyes with significant vitreous opacity by utilizing a much brighter than normal stimulating light. Of 115 eyes with vitreous opacities and good ERG responses to this bright-flash photostimulator, 47% would have been nonrecordable with a conventional ERG light source. Bright-flash ERG was often helpful in evaluating eyes with vitreous opacities for vitrectomy and was sometimes the only source of information regarding potential retinal function.