Steady-State Pattern Electroretinography in Eyes with Glaucoma and High Myopia

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Glaucoma and high myopia are leading causes of vision impairment.
• Understanding their distinct and combined effects on retinal function is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
• The steady-state pattern electroretinogram (ssPERG) offers a sensitive measure of retinal function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate ssPERG features in individuals with glaucoma, high myopia, and combined glaucoma with high myopia.
• To compare ssPERG parameters across these distinct ocular conditions.
• To correlate ssPERG findings with functional and structural measures of retinal health.

Main Methods:

• 48 participants were divided into glaucoma (G), high myopia (HM), and glaucoma with high myopia (GHM) groups.
• Monocular ssPERG testing was performed using Diopsys NOVA PERG protocols (ConStim).
• ssPERG indices, including MagD and MagD/Mag ratio at 16° and 24°, were analyzed and correlated with visual field mean deviation (VFMD) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness.

Main Results:

• At the 16° setting, the MagD amplitude was significantly lower in the GHM group compared to the HM group (p=0.02).
• The MagD/Mag ratio at 16° was significantly lower in both G and GHM groups compared to the HM group (p=0.02 and p=0.002, respectively).
• Positive correlations were observed between MagD 16°, MagD/Mag ratio 16°, and both VFMD and RNFL thickness (p<0.01).

Conclusions:

• The MagD/Mag ratio at 16° is significantly reduced in glaucomatous eyes, irrespective of high myopia.
• This suggests glaucoma has a specific, independent impact on this ssPERG parameter.
• ssPERG, particularly the MagD/Mag ratio at 16°, shows potential as a biomarker for detecting glaucomatous changes.