Abstract
Purpose :
Electroretinography (ERG) with a hand-held device offers an opportunity for quick and low-cost diagnostics and screening. However, hand-held full-field electroretinography (ERG) recorded from non-dilated eyes with skin electrodes lack detailed information regarding its reproducibility in the population above 45yo, in which retinal abnormalities are more prevalent. This study adresses this topic.
Methods :
The study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Stadtspital Zürich (Zurich, Switzerland) and was approved by the local Institutional Review Board (KEK-Nr. 2022-00947). After informed consent of the subjects, light-adapted (ISCEV standard) full-field ERGs by the RETeval device (LKC Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD, USA) were recorded using non-invasive skin electrodes. Both non-dilated eyes of 27 healthy volunteers aged 45-65 were examined. The examination was performed in a darkened room, first on the right eye, followed by the left eye. A second examination was performed within 1 to 14 days using the same protocols. The implicit times and the amplitudes of the a- and b-waves, the photopic negative response (PhNR) and the flicker responses were extracted and assessed using repeatability coefficients (RC).
Results :
The mean repeatability coefficient (RC) was 5.3% and 9.5 ms for PhNR amplitude and peak-time, respectively (95% confidence interval, CI = 45-62% and 7-13 ms). Flash ERG a-wave showed the highest variability RC=89.2% (CI=66-114%) and RC=2.4 ms (CI=1.7-2.9 ms). Flash ERG b-wave showed mean amplitude and peak-time RC=60.6% and 2.3 ms, respectively, with CI=49-71% and 1.9-2.9 ms. Flicker responses mean RC=50.4% and 1.1 ms for amplitude and peak-time, respectively, resulted in CI=42-49% and 0.8-1.4 ms.
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Conclusions :
The study has achieved its aim of establishing the reproducibility capacity of hand-held full-field ERG recorded from non-dilated eyes with skin electrodes in an older adult population. The establishment of repeatability of specific age groups is pivotal for screening and to follow up patients with diseases in which retinal biomarkers play relevant roles.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.