Multifocal electroretinogram of rod and cone cells in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

Abstract

Objective To observe the mutifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) characteristics of rod and cone cells in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and to evaluate the function of photosensory cell.Methods The mfERG recording technique for rod cell in eight normal subjects (eight eyes) were established and the influence of different brightness lightstimulus in P1 wave amplitude were analyzed.The cone and rod cells mfERG of 38 eyes in 19 patients were recorded and then calculated positive ratio from local signal-noise ratio.The average visual acuity and P1 wave amplitude density of cone mtERG in different types were compared and statistically analyzed.Meanwhile,the changes in P1 wave amplitude of cone and rod mfERG in four quadrants also compared and analyzed.Results Rod cell mfERG in normal subjects can be recorded stably by using blue flashes with low light intensity as 0.04 cd/m~2.In patients with RP,the cone and rod cells mfERG can he detectd 65.790./00 and 10.51% respectively.P1 wave amplitude density in type I of cone cell mfERG was significantly higher than that in type Ⅱ (t=5.21,P=0.000).There were no differences in average visual acuity (t=1.15,P=0.612).P1 wave amplitude density in type Ⅰ was negatively related to IogMAR visual acuity (r=-0.48,P=0.04 ).The comparison of rod and cone cells mfERG in local wave characteristics showed that P_1 wave amplitude densities had spatial relationship in each area.Conclusions The results suggested highly variable central responses in cone cell in RP patients,higher positive recorded ratio in cone cell than rod cell and spatial correspondence between the function of reserved cone and rod cells. Key words: Electroretinography/utilization; Retinitis pigmentosa/diagnosis