Structural and functional changes in glaucoma: comparing the two-flash multifocal electroretinogram to optical...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by visual field loss.
• Accurate assessment of structure-function relationships is crucial for glaucoma management.
• Multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG), automated perimetry (visual fields), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are key diagnostic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between mfERG findings in the macular area of glaucoma patients and their visual fields.
• To correlate mfERG macular findings with structural changes detected by OCT.
• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of mfERG in assessing glaucoma-related macular dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• mfERG recordings were performed in 20 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma.
• Analysis included root mean square and response epochs (direct, IC-1, IC-2).
• Comparisons were made between central 10° mfERG, OCT, and visual field data, as well as superior/inferior semicircles and the papillomacular bundle area.

Main Results:

• Significant positive association found between mfERG IC-2 and central retinal thickness (p=0.001).
• Significant correlation between central mfERG IC-1/IC-2 and perimetric sensitivity (p<0.01).
• OCT demonstrated a positive association with visual field sensitivities across all examined areas (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

• mfERG shows a statistically significant correlation with perimetric sensitivity in glaucoma patients.
• mfERG findings correlate with structural macular changes identified by time-domain OCT.
• mfERG serves as a valuable tool for assessing functional macular deficits in glaucoma.