Can central hexagon peak latency provide a clue to fixation within the mfERG

Abstract

The mfERG has proven to be a useful tool in determining central retinal and macular function. It is, however, reliant on good subject co-operation and fixation. This cannot always be guaranteed due to visual impairment or poor co-operation. Whilst a change in fixation is easy to identify with camera monitoring of the subject, a small eccentric fixation can be difficult to notice or quantify. Whilst the problem of fixation can be obviated by stimulating the retina directly with SLO (Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope), this is expensive and a certain amount of expertize in optics is required to properly stimulate the retina. In this study, peak latency of response was investigated to see whether it changed across the retina and whether this measure could be used to help assess fixation. Eighteen normal eyes were stimulated using a 60 Hz CRT monitor with only 2 hexagons, one central and one peripheral. These hexagons were presented at three stimulation rates, fast (no filler frames between steps of the m-sequence) and slow (4 and 7 black filler frames between each step of the m-sequence), under all conditions significantly increased central hexagon latencies were noted. In a smaller experiment with 19 hexagons and only 4 subjects, it was noted a significant delay in latency was observed in ring 1 compared to ring 2 and 3 with central fixation, but not when the subjects fixed mid-peripheral and in the periphery to slow stimulation, showing that the central hexagon response was only delayed in the central hexagon when there was adequate fixation. This study suggests that latency could provide a clue to fixation particular at slow rates thereby improving the quality and confidence of recordings made clinically.