Influence of age on the multifocal electroretinography

The influence of age on the amplitude density (nV/sq deg) of the multifocal electroretinogram (ERG) was studied in 90 healthy subjects aged 18-52 year s. Subjects were divided into three separate age groups; (i) 18-22 years (i i) 33-37 years and (iii) 48-52 years. Amplitude density of first order kern el of the multifocal ERG was measured for the three different age groups. W hen the whole response of the retina is considered, analysis of variance sh owed no significant differences in amplitude density between the three age groups. (ANOVA, df: 2, 87 F = 2.29, p = 0.11. However if the responses were segregated into a central area and concentric rings around the central are a, analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences in r esponses between rings at different eccentricities and between different ag e groups (Anova F = 76.19, df: 17, 522, p = 0.00001). Post hoc analysis sho wed that the responses from the centre and the second ring around the centr e of fixation for 48-52 year olds were significantly lower than those respo nses from the 33-37 year old and the 18-22 year old age groups. The decline in the multifocal ERG in the central retina of the 48-52 year olds could b e associated with the decline of the number of photoreceptors as the eye ag es. Student t test revealed no significant differences in amplitude density between males and females. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of The College of Optometrists.