Abstract
Several previous studies have suggested that the dark adapted electroretino gram (ERG) may be abnormal in patients with macular degeneration (Krill, 1966; Merin & Auerbach, 1970; Orpin, Orpin & McCulloch, 1974; Ruedemann, 1966; Jacobson, Najae, Stephens, Kara & Gideon, 1960; Jayle, Boyer & Dubert, 1959; Niemeyer, 1969; Ruedemann & Noell, 1961; Henkes, 1956). Two types of abnormality have been reported: a reduction in the overall amplitude of all ERG components, and (Merin & Auerbach, 1970) a’ slowing’ of the a-wave. However, a critical examination of these reports raises some questions concerning the validity and interpretation of the findings. First, many of the reports are based on a more or less casual or ‘by eye’ comparison between relatively small numbers of ERG records from patients with macular degeneration and normals and lack adequate statistical tests. Second, the effect of age on the ERG has often been ignored in making comparisons. Third, the extent of the lesion observed ophthal-moscopically has not been carefully correlated to ERG findings. Since, it appears that ophthalmoloscopically visible abnormalities less than 3 disc diameters in extent usually do not produce ERG abnormalities (Jacobson, Najae, Stephens, Kara & Gideon, 1960; François & DeRouck, 1966; Ponte, 1961) this correlation is important. Finally, the considerable variability in ERG waveform from patient to patient has not received adequate attention.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Bibliography
Bruning, J. L. & Kintz, B. L.: Computational handbook of statistics. Scott, Foresman Company, Glenview, Ill. 1968.
Francois, J. & DeRouck, A.: Behavior of ERG and EOG in localized retinal destruction by photocoagulation. Proceedings of the Third I. S. C. E. R. G. Symposium, Supp. Vision Research (1966).
Henkes, H. F.: Electroretinography in circulatery disturbances of the retina. Arch. Ophthal. 51, 54 (1956).
Jacobson, J. H., Najae, H., Stephens, G., Kara, G. B. & Gideon, F. G.: The role of the macular in the electroretinogram of monkey and man. Amer. J. Ophthal. 50, 889 (1960).
Jayle, G. E., Boyer, R. & Dubert, L.: Etude de differents test functionnels electroretinographiques dans la degenerescence maculaire senile grave. Ann. D’Oculistique 192, 36 (1959).
Krill, A. E.: The electroretinographic and electrooculographic findings in patients with macular lesions. Trans. Amer. Acad. Ophthal. and Otol. 70, 1063 (1966).
Lindquist, E. F.: Design and analysis of experiments in psycholgy and education. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Mas. (1953).
Merin, S. & Auerbach, E.: The central and peripheral retina in macular degenerations. Arch. Ophthal. 48, 710 (1970).
Niemeyer, G.: Elektroretinographie bei maculadegenerationen. Graefes Arch, klin. exp. Ophthal. 177, 39, (1969).
Orpin, J., Orpin, E. & McCulloch, C.: The electroretinogram in macular degeneration. Canad. J. Ophthal. 9, 214 (1974).
Peterson, H.: The normal 8-potential in the single-flash clinical electroretinogram. Acta Ophthal. Supp. 99, (1968).
Ponte, E.: Electroretinography in solar macular injury. Acta Ophthal. Supp. 70, 238 (1961).
Ruedemann, A. D. Jr. & Noell, W. K.: The electroretinogram in central retinal degeneration. Tr. Amer. Acad. Ophthal. and Otol. 65, 576 (1961).
Ruedemann, A.D, Jr.: The ERG in hereditary central retinal degeneration or heredomacular disease. Amer. J. Ophthal. 61, 240 (1966).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1977 Dr W. Junk b.v. Publishers
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Srebro, R. (1977). Statistical Analysis of ERG Amplitude and Waveform Abnormalities in Macular Degeneration. In: Lawwill, T. (eds) ERG, VER and Psychophysics. Documenta Ophthalmologica, vol 13. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-1312-3_22
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-1312-3_22
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-1314-7
Online ISBN: 978-94-010-1312-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive