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Early local functional changes in the human diabetic retina: a global flash multifocal electroretinogram study

  • Retinal Disorders
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate early functional changes of local retinal defects in type II diabetic patients using the global flash multifocal electroretinogram (MOFO mfERG).

Methods

Thirty-eight diabetic patients and 14 age-matched controls were recruited. Nine of the diabetics were free from diabetic retinopathy (DR), while the remainder had mild to moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The MOFO mfERG was performed at high (98 %) and low (46 %) contrast levels. MfERG responses were grouped into 35 regions for comparison with DR classification at those locations. Z-scores of the regional mfERG responses were compared across different types of DR defects.

Results

The mfERG waveform consisted of the direct component (DC) and the induced component (IC). Local reduction in DC and IC amplitudes were found in diabetic patients with and without DR. With increasing severity of retinopathy, there was a further deterioration in amplitude of both components. Under MOFO mfERG paradigm, amplitude was a useful screening parameter.

Conclusion

The MOFO mfERG can help in detecting early functional anomalies before the appearance of visible signs, and may assist in monitoring further functional deterioration in diabetic patients.

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the Associated Fund (Research Postgraduate) from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Internal Research Grants (GU585, GU858) and the Niche Areas Myopia Research (J-BB7P) and Glaucoma Research (J-BB76) from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Special thanks to Prof. Brian Brown for his valued opinions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Experimental Optometry (Neuroscience), School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Jenny C. Y. Lung, Peter G. Swann & Henry H. L. Chan

  2. School of Optometry, The Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia

    Peter G. Swann

  3. School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Henry H. L. Chan

Authors
  1. Jenny C. Y. Lung
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  2. Peter G. Swann
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  3. Henry H. L. Chan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Henry H. L. Chan.

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Summary statement

In this study, a modified multifocal electroretinogram paradigm was applied to investigate the human diabetic retina. Early functional deterioration was detected before any clinically visible retinopathy.

Presented in part at the July 2009 ISCEV meeting, Abano Terme, Padova, Italy.

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Lung, J.C.Y., Swann, P.G. & Chan, H.H.L. Early local functional changes in the human diabetic retina: a global flash multifocal electroretinogram study. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 250, 1745–1754 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-012-2010-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-012-2010-z

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