PURPOSE: To determine normative data for full-field electroretinogram (ERG) in a healthy young adult group, according to the guidelines of a standard protocol recommended by the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV). METHODS: A group of 42 healthy normal volunteers aged from 15 to 26 years (mean=20.8 ± 2.9 years) was recruited. Full-field electroretinogram (ERG) was recorded using a bipolar contact lens electrode according to the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision standard protocol, including the following responses: a) scotopic rod response; b) scotopic maximal response; c) scotopic response for oscillatory potentials; d) photopic single-flash cone response and e) photopic 30 Hz flicker for cone response. RESULTS: Mean (± 1 SD) peak-to-peak amplitude was 241.1 ± 66.9 µV for rod response; 385.4 ± 71.8 µV for maximal response; 180.6 ± 48.6 µV for oscillatory potentials; 102.6 ± 36.3 µV for single-flash cone response and 69.2 ± 26.6 µV for light adapted 30 Hz flicker response. Mean b-wave implicit time was 85.2 ± 7.6 ms for rod response; 45.6 ± 2.0 ms for maximal response; 27.8 ± 1.2 ms for single-flash cone response and 27.9 ± 1.2 ms for 30 Hz flicker response. Comparable values were obtained from males and females, but the scotopic maximal response of females showed statistically larger amplitudes (t=2.06; P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study are comparable to those previously reported in the literature and will be helpful to evaluate patients with several retinal disorders. Inclusion of other age groups will provide extended normative data.
Electroretinography; Reference values; Adult
