Importance of multifocal electroretinogram in diagnosis of macular diseases

Abstract

Because multifocal electroretinogram can be used to assess the function of posterior pole of the retina especially in the macula objectively, non-invasively and quantitatively, it was widely used in clinic. At present, more practical experience of clinical visual electrophysiological testing has been obtained and achieved, but there are still some questions such as standardization of the operation, combined diagnosis of morphology and function of macular diseases, follow-up visit and investigation of macular diseases. Therefore, the value of the visual electrophysiology especially multifocal technique in diagnosis of macular diseases was not fully embodied. No matter the development or the operation of the mutifocal system should be strictly followed by the standards of International Society of Clinical Electrophysiology for Vision. Functional changes would be observed before the morphological changes in some macular disease especially early stage of the diseases by the help of multifocal electrophysiological test. Also this test can be used to assess the macular function in some macular diseases that showed disaccord between functional and morphological changes. Furthermore, diseases of optic nerve and visual cortex would be investigated by expanding the use of multifocal technique such as new analysis methods, new test methods and research on the animal models which would help to understand more about the mechanisms and therapeutic approaches of ophthalmic diseases.