ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY - A REVIEW OF SIGNAL ORIGINS AND APPLICATIONS TO INVESTIGATING GLAUCOMA

Because different electrophysiological responses can be isolated to di fferent retinal and cortical cell types and levels, the proportion in which the different signals are reduced can reflect the primary areas of damage. The knowledge of electrophysiology component sources can th us be applied when examining ophthalmic disorders. The present review covers the proposed origins and the usefulness of the conventional ele ctrophysiological responses. Their application to glaucoma is discusse d, with particular reference to the pattern electroretinogram. In the second part of the current review, we present some recent developments that relate to the use of multifocal pseudorandomly stimulated record ing. This technique enables a new approach to the electrical assessmen t of visual responses. Analysis for temporal non-linearities and spati al distribution of the response throughout the visual field can be imp lemented. This type of recording has the potential to provide a method of objective visual field assessment in glaucoma and other disorders of the visual system.