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Multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) in patients with diabetes mellitus and an enlarged foveal avascular zone (FAZ)

Documenta Ophthalmologica volume 117, pages 185–189 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose To assess the relationship between foveal microcirculation and central retinal function in diabetic patients having both an enlarged foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and a preserved visual acuity (0.6 or better). Methods Twenty-five patients with diabetes type 1 or 2 with an enlarged FAZ (largest diameter > 650 μm) measured in fluorescein angiograms were examined with multifocal ERG (mfERG). The largest FAZ diameter, the FAZ area as well as the adjacent perifoveal intercapillary area (PIA), was calculated from the fluorescein angiogram. The retinopathy level was mild to preproliferative. There was no macular edema and no eye had previously been treated with photocoagulation. Results The mean FAZ diameter was 0.92 ± 0.17 mm and the mean summed area (FAZ and PIA) was 0.74 ± 0.24 mm2. There was a significant correlation between increasing FAZ diameter and increasing implicit time of the innermost concentric rings and of the third concentric ring in the first order kernel of the mfERG (P = 0.03 and P = 0.008, respectively). An increasing summed area (FAZ and PIA) was correlated to increasing implicit time in the same areas of the mfERG (P = 0.005 and P = 0.026, respectively). No correlation was seen between the ischemic areas and the mfERG amplitudes. Conclusion A correlation between the ischemic areas and prolonged implicit time in the mfERG indicates that alterations in neuronal macular function due to ischemia might precede the deterioration of visual acuity.

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Acknowledgments

This study has been supported by the Skane County Council Foundation for Research and Development, the Gorthon and Zoega foundations.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Helsingborg Hospital, 251 87, Helsingborg, Sweden

    Maria Tyrberg

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden

    Vesna Ponjavic & Monica Lövestam-Adrian

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  1. Maria Tyrberg
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  2. Vesna Ponjavic
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  3. Monica Lövestam-Adrian
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Correspondence to Maria Tyrberg.

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Tyrberg, M., Ponjavic, V. & Lövestam-Adrian, M. Multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) in patients with diabetes mellitus and an enlarged foveal avascular zone (FAZ). Doc Ophthalmol 117, 185–189 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-008-9120-2

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Keywords

  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Fluorescein angiogram (FA)
  • Foveal avascular zone (FAZ)
  • Multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG)