ABSENCE OF GANGLION-CELL SUBCOMPONENTS IN MULTIFOCAL LUMINANCE ELECTRORETINOGRAMS

Multifocal flash electroretinograms (ERG) were recorded binocularly (n =18). Areas were equal or scaled with eccentricity. The latter were ex pected to increase the total amplitude if ganglion cell subcomponents were involved, Amplitudes were intercorrelated and the factor structur e was established. Scaling had no influence on amplitudes or on factor s. Reliability and sensitivity were high. The second kernel first slic e from the nine hexagons across the midline showed differences near th e macula but no component increasing in latency with distance from the disc. Thus, multifocal flash ERG have linear spatial summation and no ganglion cell subcomponents.