Ocular optics, electroretinography and primary open angle glaucoma.

Advancing the knowledge of ocular image quality is important in the development of new tests for the earlier detection of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Loss of blue sensitivity is an important feature of POAG; however, it is difficult to separate this loss from the effects of wavelength related intraocular light scatter and media absorption. A technique for recording the S-cone electroretinogram is described which may solve these problems. The effect of scattered light is avoided by a Ganzfeld stimulus and the absorption of short wavelength light is compensated by a photometric balancing of blue and green stimuli using the M-cone response. The modulation transfer function of the eye has enabled the true spatial tuning function of the retina to be determined by pattern electroretinography (PERG). This has demonstrated the role of retinal ganglion cells in the generation of the PERG. These techniques are shown to be highly sensitive tests in the early stages of POAG.