INVESTIGATION OF RETINITIS-PIGMENTOSA USING THE MULTIFOCAL ELECTRORETINOGRAM

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients have pathological changes in both t he macula and the periphery, and are known to have abnormal electroret inograms (ERGs). The response densities measured by the multifocal ele ctroretinogram (MERG) in the macula and pericentral retina were greatl y reduced in RP. in photopic conditions, some patients had relatively better ERG responses in the macula than in the pericentral retina, and this agreed with the finding that there is usually relatively well-pr eserved macular function in RP. In scotopic conditions, both macula an d pericentral retina gave poor responses. There was very little increa se in response as stimulus luminance increased in RP. The topographica l mapping of the MERG results can provide objective, localized assessm ent of retinal function. (C) 1998 The College of Optometrists. Publish ed by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.