Test-retest repeatability of the pattern electroretinogram and flicker electroretinogram

Purpose To evaluate the repeatability of the steady-state pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and full-field flicker electroretinogram (Flicker ERG) protocols, delivered by the office-based Neuro Optic Vision Assessment (NOVA)(TM) testing platform, in healthy subjects. Methods Healthy individuals underwent PERG (16 degrees and 24 degrees) and Flicker ERG [fixed luminance (FL) and multi-luminance (ML)] testing protocols. Test-retest repeatability of protocols was calculated using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Reference values of the parameters of the aforementioned tests were also calculated. Results The ICCs for the PERG parameters ranged from 0.793 to 0.911 (p < 0.001). The ICCs for the Flicker ERG parameters ranged from 0.968 to 0.994 (p < 0.001). A linear regression analysis was applied to assess the impact of age on ERG responses. Age had a significant impact on all PERG parameters (16 degrees or 24 degrees). The phase response of the FL Flicker ERG significantly decreased with age (beta = - 0.837, p <= 0.001). The FL Flicker ERG Magnitude was also impacted with a significant quadratic effect of age (Chi = - 0.0047, p = 0.0004). Similarly, the Phase Area Under the Curve (Phase AUC) of the ML Flicker ERG significantly declined with age (beta = - 0.007, p = 0.009), and the impact on the Magnitude AUC was significant as well, with a negative quadratic age effect. Conclusions The PERG and Flicker ERG protocols, delivered by an office-based testing platform, were shown to have good-to-excellent test-retest repeatability when tests were performed in the same order and in immediate succession.