The Human Electroretinogram. A Diagnostic Guide

The Human Electroretinogram: A Diagnostic Guide describes the physiological basis and clinical applications of the human electroretinogram (ERG). Several sub-types of ERGs are evoked by Full-Field stimuli, with characteristics that depend critically on the properties of the stimulus. This book discusses the human retina’s high sensitivity to light and its ability to respond robustly to even single quanta of light. Specifically, it clarifies that the major components of flash ERG, the a-wave and b-wave, are generated by photoreceptors and bipolar cells, respectively. This book explores how changes in light intensity, adaptation, and temporal frequency can alter the contributions of different retinal generators (e.g., rods, cones, and bipolar cell subtypes). In addition to Full Field ERG, other important diagnostic electroretinograms including focal, multifocal, and pattern ERGs are clarified. This book uniquely illustrates the combined use of these ERG tools, allowing clinicians to perform a functional dissection of the retina and achieve a layer-by-layer analysis. The approach of “The Human Electroretinogram: A Diagnostic Guide” correlates with retinal layer evaluations performed using modern multimodal imaging techniques, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT). ERG analysis exemplifies a critically important tool for early diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment monitoring of retinal diseases involving different retinal layers. This book is essential in providing ophthalmological professionals with the know-how to manage the interplay between these numerous elements.