Advanced Eye and Vision Evaluations

The University Hospitals Eye Institute provides clinical electrophysiological tests for the evaluation of visual function. These tests objectively evaluate the function of the retina, optic nerve and the visual pathway from the eye to the visual cortex of the brain and are useful in determining both diagnosis and prognosis. They may also be used to monitor the progression of eye disease during treatment.

Tests provided

• Full-field electroretinography (ffERG): For retinal diseases which affect the outer and inner retina in both rod and cone pathways. Photopic negative response (PhNR) of ffERG can reflect the function of ganglion cell layer. With color stimulus, specific type of cone function can be evaluated. For specific patients, it can also be tested under general anesthesia.
• Multifocal electroretinography (mfERG): For retinal diseases which affect the outer and inner retina in the cone pathway. Especially useful when the defects of the retina vary between regions.
• Pattern electroretinography (PERG): For retinal diseases that affects ganglion cell function.
• Pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (PVEP) or Flash visual evoked potentials (FVEP): For diseases of the ganglion cell layer, optic nerve, and brain. For specific patients, it can also be tested under general anesthesia.
• Electrooculography (EOG): For diseases of retinal pigment epithelium.
• Dark adaptometry (DA): For the evaluation of retinal diseases that affect dark adaptation.