RESUMO
PURPOSE: To compare electroretinogram (ERG) responses measured with a skin electrode with those from a corneal-contact electrode in healthy adults. METHOD: Sixty two eyes of 31 healthy adults (8 men and 23 women) were enrolled (mean age 34.0 +/- 8.1 years). ERG responses for full-field and single flash stimuli was recorded with skin electrodes and corneal-contact electrodes. Morphology of the ERG waveform, a-wave and b-wave amplitudes, b/a ratios, and a-wave and b-wave implicit times were compared between the two electrode measurements. Correlations between the two measurements were also examined. RESULTS: All features of the ERG waveform were identifiable using the skin electrodes. In the skin electrode ERGs, a-wave and b-wave amplitudes, and the b/a ratios were smaller (p<0.001) and the a-wave and b-wave implicit times were shorter (p<0.001) than those in the corneal-contact electrode ERGs. The B-wave amplitudes, b/a ratios and the a-wave and b-wave implicit times showed significant correlations between the two electrodes (p<0.01). In 16 eyes the OP4 was detected as the b-wave. CONCLUSION: The skin electrode ERG had shorter amplitudes and shorter implicit times than the corneal electrode ERGs, but corresponded well in its morphology to the corneal-contact electrode ERGs. Skin electrodes ERG would be useful for the examination of child patients and patients with corneal diseases. Further study is required for clinical application.