We evaluated the retinal electrophysiologic function in both the detached and attached areas of eyes with retinal detachment, and assessed the functional recovery of these areas after surgery by quantifying the results obtained from multifocal electroretinograms. Multifocal electroretinographic recordings and central 0 degrees to 30 degrees visual field tests were performed preoperatively and 2 weeks 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively in 12 patients with unilateral retinal detachment. Each patient's response to the multifocal electroretinogram and the visual field test was classified into two groups: group A, the response from the attached area; and group B, that from the detached retinal area. Individual mean deviation and percentage mean deviation were calculated for each group. All retinal detachments were successfully reattached by the conventional scleral buckling method. The retinal sensitivity in the visual field test of all the patients in group B greatly improved. However, the percentage mean deviation in the response density of the multifocal electroretinogram in group B was -81% preoperatively and -63% at 6 months postoperatively. Thus, the improvement was confined within narrow limits. The response density of the multifocal electroretinogram in group A was very low, and never improved beyond -50% of percentage mean deviation. In the eyes with retinal detachment, clectroretinogram response in both the attached and detached areas was more disturbed than predicted by means of the visual field test during the course of this study.

PurposeTo record electroretinograms (ERGs) from intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) of glaucoma patients.MethodsERGs were recorded in 10 normal subjects and 15 patients with glaucoma. The ERG illumination system was built to achieve receptor-silent substitution, and comprised an optical diffuser and four-in-one light-emitting diodes.ResultsThe ERG recordings of ipRGC from normal subjects showed an “on” response and an “off” response. The mean (±SD) implicit time for the on and off responses in normal subjects was 103.0 ± 24.9 and 337.9 ± 45.8 ms, respectively, with corresponding amplitudes of 7.7 ± 2.8 and 7.3 ± 3.4 μV, respectively. In glaucoma patients, the implicit time of the on and off responses was 135.0 ± 28.9 and 368.2 ± 17.3 ms, respectively. The corresponding amplitudes of the on and off responses in these patients were 0.47 ± 0.18 and 0.66 ± 0.32 μV, respectively.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate successful ERG recording of ipRGCs from advanced glaucoma patients, with marked reductions in amplitude, although not implicit time, compared with normal subjects.

A method for rapid and objective assessment of ocular lens density and transmittance is needed for research and clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine whether the Purkinje image-based technique can be used for objective and accurate quantification of spectral density and transmittance of ocular media (the mainly crystalline lens) in visible light. Twenty-six individuals (10 young, 9 middle-aged and 7 older individuals) participated in this study. Spectral lens density was evaluated by detecting the intensity of the IVth Purkinje image for different wavelengths. Subsequently, optical density index (ODI), the area under the curve in the lens density spectrum, was calculated and ODIs were compared with clinical lens opacification scales assessed subjectively using a slit lamp. Spectral lens transmittance was estimated from the lens density spectrum. Lens densities were higher in the short wavelength region of the visible spectrum across all age groups. ODI was highly correlated with the clinical opacification scale, while lens transmittance decreased with aging. Our results showed that spectral transmittance of the human crystalline lens can be easily estimated from optical density spectra evaluated objectively and rapidly using the Purkinje image-based technique. Our results provide clinicians and scientists with an accurate, rapid and objective technique for quantification of lens transmittance.

Functional abnormalities of photoreceptors might be induced by inheritable degeneration at an early age in the GK rat. Although hyperglycemia would cause retinal hypoxia, it would not be severe enough to disturb the generation of OPs.