The ERG as a complementary diagnostic tool in ophthalmoscopy in albino rats

Using light induced retinal damage in albino rats as a model, the time of occurrence of lesions was investigated by ophthalmoscopy, electroretinography and light microscopy. Changes in the electroretinogram correlated well with histopathological lesions in the first retinal neuron. In contrast, ophthalmoscopy revealed no evidence of retinal damage even at a time, when the animals were apparently blind. It is concluded that electroretinography is an appropriate experimental tool for detection of retinal damage at a very early stage in toxicological investigation.