Electroretinogram: what it is and when it is needed
The electroretinogram is an ophthalmic test performed to assess the sensitivity of the retina, the part of the eye that converts light stimuli into electrical signals that are sent to the brain, enabling vision
The electroretinogram consists of recording in a trace the changes in electrical potential of the retina when subjected to light stimuli
The test assesses the functionality of the two different types of light receptors, cones and rods: cones are only sensitive to bright light during the day and can distinguish the shape and colour of objects well; rods are sensitive to dim light, do not distinguish colours and are mainly involved in night vision.
The electroretinogram is used to detect possible retinal degeneration
It is often performed pre-operatively.
The electroretinogram is a very important test for diagnosing retinitis pigmentosa, even when the disease is still in its early stages.
How it is performed
The electroretinogram is performed by applying an electrode to the cornea of the subject being examined.
The application of the electrode is preceded by local anaesthesia using a special anaesthetising eye drops.
The retina is then subjected to light stimulation (in the form of a flash) and the electrode records the response.
The test lasts about 20 minutes and the results are immediately available.
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