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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
Multifocal Electroretinograms
Published on: December 4, 2011
30 Hz-flicker mfERG in primary open-angle glaucoma patients : 30 Hz-flicker-mfERG in POAG
Margarita G Todorova1, Anja M Palmowski-Wolfe, Selim Orguel
1Department of Ophthamlology, University Eye Hospital Basel, Mittlere Strasse 91, CH-4012, Basel, Switzerland.
Purpose:
This study was performed in an attempt to gain more information on whether the 30 Hz-flicker mfERG indeed provides a sensitive measure of dysfunction in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) as has been suggested previously.
Methods:
Eighteen POAG patients with visual field defects (MD > 2.2 dB) and glaucomatous optic neuropathies as well as 10 control subjects underwent mfERG recording as follows: 30 Hz-flicker mfERG, LED stimulus screen, 61 hexagons, Lmax: 180 cd/m2, Lmin: 0 cd/m2, recording time: approximately 5 min, filter setting: 10-200 Hz. The 30 Hz response (also called the fundamental or the first harmonic response (1HW) and the second harmonic wave at 60 Hz (2HW) were analysed as an overall response and in quadrants, as well as in 4 small neighbouring areas per quadrant. The patients' mfERGs were compared to those of the control group and to the mean defect values (MD) of the corresponding quadrants of the Octopus perimetry.
Results:
Neither in the overall response, nor in the quadrants, nor in the smaller areas examined did amplitudes and phases of the 1HW and the 2HW or the amplitude ratio of the 2HW to the 1HW (DFT-ratio) differ from the controls (P > 0.05-ANOVA). There was no significant correlation between mfERG values and the MD (Spearman-test, Bonferroni).
Conclusion:
Thus, the 30 Hz-flicker mfERG does not seem to be sensitive enough to separate glaucoma patients from normal.
Insights
The 30 Hz-flicker multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) was evaluated for its sensitivity in detecting primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This study found that 30 Hz-flicker mfERG is not sensitive enough to distinguish POAG patients from healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Visual Electrophysiology
Background:
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- Early detection of POAG is crucial for timely intervention and management.
- The multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) is a diagnostic tool used to assess retinal function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sensitivity of the 30 Hz-flicker mfERG in identifying visual dysfunction in POAG patients.
- To determine if 30 Hz-flicker mfERG can differentiate between POAG patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- mfERG recordings were performed on 18 POAG patients and 10 controls using a 30 Hz-flicker stimulus.
- Analysis included the first harmonic wave (1HW) and second harmonic wave (2HW) of the mfERG response.
- mfERG data were compared between groups and correlated with visual field mean defect (MD) values.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in 1HW, 2HW amplitudes, phases, or the DFT-ratio between POAG patients and controls.
- No significant correlation was observed between mfERG parameters and visual field MD values in POAG patients.
Conclusions:
- The 30 Hz-flicker mfERG does not appear to be a sufficiently sensitive method for discriminating between POAG patients and normal individuals.
- Further research may be needed to explore alternative mfERG protocols or other electrophysiological measures for POAG detection.
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