Abstract
Purpose::
To investigate the clinical significance of electroretinographic (ERG) responses in assessing the progression of diabetic retinopathy
Methods::
ERGs were recorded on 31 normal controls and 129 diabetic patients. Of those, 97 patients had diabetic retinopathy with different stages. ERGs were recorded according to the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) standard. Amplitudes and implicit times of the ERG responses including photopic negative respnses (PhNRs) were compared at different stages of diabetic retinopathy.
Results::
Amplitudes of oscillatory potentials were significantly reduced in mild NPDR stage (p<0.001). Amplitudes of cone b waves, 30-Hz flicker responses and PhNRs were reduced significantly in moderate NPDR stage (p<0.001). The Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the amplitudes of the ERG responses were more sensitive and specific than implicit times in diabetic retinopathy patients.
Conclusions::
These results suggest that oscillatory potentials are good indicator of retinal function change in early stage of diabetic retinopathy and, cone b wave, 30-Hz flicker and PhNR are good indicators in advanced stage.
Keywords: electroretinography: clinical • diabetic retinopathy