The electroretinogram in diabetic retinopathy

Electroretinography (ERG) is an objective method of evaluating retinal func tion. Since its introduction to clinical practice in the 1940s, it has beco me a useful and routine diagnostic clinical tool in ophthalmology. This rev iew summarizes the role of ERG as a clinical technique for evaluating the p rogression of diabetic retinopathy and as a research tool for increasing ou r understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy. Most studie s show unequivocally that the different types of ERG tests detect local abn ormalities or widespread pathology, even in very early stages of the diseas e. It seems plausible that measurements from ERG recordings, particularly t he oscillatory potentials, may be useful for predicting progression from no nproliferative to the more sight-threatening stages-preproliferative or pro liferative-of diabetic retinopathy. Some recent work implies that the ERG c an also be a useful diagnostic method for discriminating between eyes with diabetic retinopathy and those without the condition. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.