Effect of eccentric fixation on the steady-state pattern electroretinogram

Abstract: Purpose
The steady-state pattern electroretinogram (ssPERG) is used to assess retinal ganglion cell function in a variety of research contexts and diagnostic applications. In certain groups of patients or study participants, stable central fixation of the stimulus is not guaranteed. The present study aimed at assessing the effects of misfixation on the ssPERG response to checkerboard reversal stimuli.

Methods
Using two check sizes (0.8° and 15°), we compared ssPERG responses for several amounts of fixation deviation, ranging from 0° to 19° horizontally and from 0° to 14° diagonally. The stimulus area extended to 15° eccentricity, stimulus reversal rate was 15/s.

Results
Up to around 7° eccentricity, there was no sizable effect of fixation deviation under most conditions. Effects were somewhat larger for nasal than for temporal deviation, in particular for small checks. Diagonal deviation was associated with a response to luminance onset/offset at 7.5 Hz (subharmonic of the reversal rate), most prominently when the interior of a large check was fixated.

Conclusion
Generally, moderate inaccuracies of fixation do not have a sizable effect on ssPERG amplitude. However, with large checks, the luminance response has to be considered

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Documenta ophthalmologica. - 148, 2 (2024) , 87-95, ISSN: 1573-2622

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Freiburg
• (who): Universität
• (when): 2024
• Creator: Friedel, Evelyn ; Haldina, Julia ; Nickel, Kathrin Alexandra ; Bach, Michael ; Tebartz van Elst, Ludger ; Heinrich, Sven P.

Further information

• DOI: 10.1007/s10633-024-09967-w
• URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:25-freidok-2457395
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:58 AM CEST