A comparison of flash electroretinograms recorded from Burian Allen, JET, C-glide, gold foil, DTL and skin electrodes

Abstract

Single flash scotopic and photopic electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded from the same subjects using six types of corneal electrode, in order to assess their relative effectiveness. In addition, the ERG from a lower eyelid skin electrode was recorded to give an indication of the degree of attenuation to be expected from a skin electrode. On average, the scotopic ERG recorded from the Burian Allen electrode measured 471 microV (100%), and relative to this the b-waves recorded using other electrodes were as follows: JET (89%), C-glide (77%), gold foil (56%), DTL (46%) and skin (12%). Under photopic conditions the order was the same and the interelectrode proportions similar. The b-wave amplitude recorded using the Burian Allen electrode was 125 microV (100%), and with other electrodes was as follows: JET (93%), C-glide (78%), gold foil (60%), DTL (60%) and skin (14%).

The relationship between stimulus intensity and response amplitude for the photopic negative response of the flash electroretinogram

“…We found Vmax recorded using the DTL electrode to be around 2x larger for DTL than skin electrodes, for both PT PhNR and b-wave amplitudes, whilst Vmax for the BT PhNR amplitude was approximately 1.5x larger for DTL electrode responses. This is consistent with the magnitude of increased amplitude reported from signals recorded using DTL electrode compared with skin electrodes [44][45][46].…”

Cone- and rod-mediated multifocal electroretinogram in early age-related maculopathy

“…As reported previously, 27 we found larger peripheral responses due to stray light when no surround was added (Figure 2). Unlike Hood et al, 27 who used Burian-Allen electrodes, we used DTL electrodes, which gave poorer signal-tonoise ratio 43 but more comfort to our subjects. One of the major problems for our subjects was to overcome eye drift and maintain concentration and fixation especially in the rod protocol in which vision was indistinct.…”

Full-field electroretinogram recorded with skin electrodes in normal adults

“…Such factors include the resistive and capacitative characteristics of the materials from which the electrodes are made and coated with and the area of the recording surface. In addition, the amplitude recorded with skin electrodes is noisier, mainly as a result of electromyographic activity intervention (15) . However, it has been shown that even with reduced amplitudes, recordings with skin electrodes can be useful to differentiate between normal and abnormal responses, as long as an appropriate normative reference is used (16) .…”