Office-based pattern electroretinography (pERG) module

The Diopsys^® NOVA-ERG Vision Testing System is an office-based pattern electroretinography (pERG) module – a part of the Diopsys^® NOVA suite of tests. The pERG is an evoked potential test that measures the function of the retina. Patients view a screen with alternating checkerboard patterns to elicit a pERG response. Pattern electroretinography helps doctors gain objective information about the performance of the inner retinal cells of the eye, especially in an area of the retina called the macula. This information can help optometrists and ophthalmologists diagnose and monitor vision disorders like glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic maculopathies.

“The Diopsys^® NOVA-ERG is an important addition to the Diopsys^® NOVA suite of tests. In one sitting, an eye care specialist can objectively measure the function of the patient’s retina while also measuring the function of the entire vision system, from the eye to the visual cortex,” said Dr. Alberto González, Diopsys Research Director, “This will help doctors objectively distinguish between retinal and cortical pathway issues.”

The Diopsys^® NOVA- ERG allows the clinician to choose either advanced, fixed testing protocols (pERG-Fixed) or develop customized testing procedures (pERG-Mnl). Each option is designed to give the clinician easy to interpret results.

The pERG-Fixed Concentric Visual Fields test utilizes two different degrees of stimulus presented as concentric circles with contrast reversing patterns. The objective information from this test is useful in studying disease progression like rapidly progressing maculopathies.

The pERG-Fixed Contrast Sensitivity test utilizes a full screen stimulus with two different contrast levels to give an objective, functional response of the vision system at the retina. It can be useful in tracking progression of diseases, like glaucoma.