Association between relative peripheral refraction and corresponding electro-retinal signals

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology and Vision Science
• Neuroscience
• Physiology

Background:

• The peripheral retina's role in refractive development is under investigation.
• Peripheral refraction shows significant variation with eccentricity from the fovea.
• Understanding the relationship between peripheral refraction and retinal electrical activity is crucial for refractive error development insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between relative peripheral refraction (RPR) and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) responses.
• To analyze electro-retinal signals from the central to peripheral retina in young adults.
• To determine if RPR correlates with mfERG responses across different retinal eccentricities.

Main Methods:

• Refraction and mfERG were recorded from 17 non-myopes and 24 myopes (aged 20-27 years).
• Measurements were taken at the fovea (0°) and along horizontal (±5°, ±10°, ±25°) and vertical (±10°, ±15°) meridians.
• mfERG N1, P1, and N2 components were compared with RPR at corresponding eccentricities.

Main Results:

• mfERG amplitude densities (N1, P1, N2) were highest at the fovea and decreased significantly with eccentricity (p < 0.01).
• No significant association was found between RPR and mfERG amplitudes across eccentricities (r = -0.25 to 0.26, p ≥ 0.09).
• Relative peripheral myopia or hyperopia did not differentially affect peripheral mfERG amplitudes (p ≥ 0.24).

Conclusions:

• Relative peripheral mfERG signals are not associated with corresponding RPR in young adults.
• Electro-retinal signals might respond to absolute hyperopia, not relative peripheral hyperopia.
• Further investigation is warranted to clarify the relationship between retinal signals and refractive states.