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The Use of Multifocal Electroretinograms and Multifocal Visual Evoked Potentials in Optic Nerve Disorders

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Optic Nerve Disorders

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Abstract

The multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) and multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) techniques allow for the simultaneous recording of local responses from many regions of the visual field. This chapter provides an introduction to these techniques and focuses, in particular, on the use of these techniques to rule out retinal causes of visual abnormalities and to diagnose optic nerve disorders. The mfERG and mfVEP techniques are not useful in the following clinical situations: (1) the standard full-field ERG and VEP tests provide adequate data; (2) the defect is in the far periphery; (3) the problem likely involves the rod system; or (4) the patient cannot fixate reliably. However, in patients with steady fixation and localized visual field defects, the mfERG and mfVEP are helpful in diagnosing optic nerve disorders when interpreted with the patient’s visual field and/or OCT imaging.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychology and Ophthalmology, Columbia University, 406 Schermerhorn Hall, 1190 Amsterdam Ave., MC5501, New York, NY, 10027, USA

    Donald C. Hood B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.

  2. Clinical Sciences and Innovation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ, USA

    Karen Holopigian Ph.D.

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  1. Donald C. Hood B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.
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  2. Karen Holopigian Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Donald C. Hood B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology/Neuro-Ophthalmology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA

    Jane W. Chan

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Hood, D.C., Holopigian, K. (2014). The Use of Multifocal Electroretinograms and Multifocal Visual Evoked Potentials in Optic Nerve Disorders. In: Chan, J. (eds) Optic Nerve Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0691-4_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0691-4_12

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