ISCEV standard for clinical pattern electroretinography (2024 update).

The pattern electroretinogram (PERG) is a localized retinal response evoked by a contrast-reversing pattern, usually a black and white checkerboard, which provides information about macular and retinal ganglion cell function. This document, from the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV; www.iscev.org ) presents an updated and revised Standard for clinical PERG testing. This replaces the 2013 and all earlier versions. Minimum protocols for basic PERG stimuli, recording methods and reporting are specified, to promote consistency of methods for diagnosis and monitoring purposes, while responding to evolving clinical practices and technology. The main changes in the updated ISCEV Standard for clinical PERG include expanded guidance about large stimulus fields, stimulus parameters for simultaneous PERG and pattern visual evoked potential recording, baseline drift correction, and use of consistent ambient room lighting. These changes aim to provide a clinically relevant document about current practice which will facilitate good quality recordings and inter-laboratory comparisons.

Microperimetric sensitivity in patients on hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) therapy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure macular sensitivity using microperimetry in patients on Plaquenil therapy without evidence of retinopathy as assessed by recommended screening standards. METHODS: Sixteen patients from a clinical practice treated with 200 or 400 mg/day of Plaquenil for more than 5 years, without visual complaints (visual acuity 20/25 or better), and without a history of diabetes or macular disease were included. Participants underwent a complete ophthalmic examination with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), 10-2 Humphrey visual field (HVF), fundus autofluoresecene (FAF), multifocal electroretinography (mfERG), and microperimetry that covered the central 12° of the visual field. Ten age-similar, visually normal subjects served as controls. RESULTS: The average age of the study cohort was of 54.5 years, with an average daily Plaquenil dose of 4.00 mg/kg/day (range, 1.77-6.67 mg/kg/day) and an average cumulative dose of 1485 g (range, 256-3650 g). All patients had normal ocular exams, and no evidence of retinopathy based on 10-2 HVF, FAF, mfERG, and SD-OCT. The mean retinal sensitivity by microperimetry was 15.0 dB (OD) and 14.6 dB (OS). The overall mean microperimetry sensitivity of the patients (14.7±1.9 dB) was significantly lower (P<0.001) than that of the controls (16.5±2.1 dB). CONCLUSIONS: Patients on Plaquenil without clinical evidence of retinal toxicity can have reduced retinal sensitivity, as assessed by microperimetry. The mean sensitivity difference between the patients and controls suggests that microperimetry can provide important information regarding visual function in patients on Plaquenil therapy.

Clinical value, normative retinal sensitivity values, and intrasession repeatability using a combined spectral domain optical coherence tomography/scanning laser ophthalmoscope microperimeter.

PURPOSE: To establish normative values for macular light sensitivity and to determine the intrasession fluctuation of perimetric responses using the OPKO/OTI microperimeter. METHODS: A total of 32 visually normal subjects participated in the study. A standardized grid pattern was used for testing, which consisted of 28 points arranged concentrically in three circles that occupied an area of 11° (in diameter) within the central macula. Each subject participated in at least two tests. Parameters evaluated included: overall mean macular sensitivity for test 1 and 2, overall difference in mean macular sensitivity between tests, and the mean sensitivity for each circle. The relationship between sensitivity and age was also examined. RESULTS: The overall median sensitivity for test 1 was 16.8 decibels (dB) and for test 2 was 16.9 dB. The median sensitivities for test 1 and test 2 were not significantly different (P = 0.72). The mean intrasession sensitivity difference was 0.13 dB. The variability of the sensitivity difference between tests decreased as mean sensitivity increased. The sensitivity values averaged across the two tests for inner, middle, and outer circles ranged from 14.3 to 18.8 dB (median value of 16.9 dB), 13.8-18.3 dB (median value of 17.2 dB), and 11.3-18.3 dB (median value of 16.6 dB), respectively. Linear regression analysis showed a 0.5 dB sensitivity loss for each decade of life. CONCLUSION: We documented a narrow range of intrasession fluctuation using the OPKO/OTI microperimeter. The establishment of normative sensitivity values will facilitate monitoring the loss of macular visual function in patients with retinal disease.