Aging and mfERG topography

Aim: To study the effect of aging retina on the multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG). Methods: A total of 18 young subjects (age 18 -24 years) and 36 elderly subjects (aged 60 -85 years) with intraocular lenses (IOLs) were recruited for this study. No subjects had significant eye diseases or media opacities. mfERG was measured in standard conditions using the VERIS system (version 4.1). There were three groups of 18 subjects: (1) 18 -25 years, (2) 60-70 years, and (3) 75 -85 years. mfERG responses were grouped into central, paracentral, and peripheral regions for analysis. The N1 amplitude, P1 amplitude, N1 latency, and P1 latency of the first-order responses were analysed. Results: Age had no effect on P1 latency, N1 amplitude, and P1 amplitude; however, N1 latencies from central to peripheral regions were significantly longer for group 3 than for group 1. Conclusions: This study suggests that measured age-related decreases in mfERG responses are due to optical factors (decrease in retinal light levels, scatter) before the age of 70 years, but neural factors significantly affect mfERG topography after the age of 70 years.