Electroretinogram and electrooculogram in retinal degeneration

Electroretinogram (ERG) and electrooculogram (EOG) are fundamental for proper early diagnosis of retinal dystrophies and degenerations. The most characteristic changes of ERG and EOG in such retinal dystrophies as Stargardt's disease, Best's disease, fundus flavimaculatus, fundus albipunctatus, retinitis pigmentosa, choroideremia, iuvenile retinoschisis, congenital stationary night blindness, progressive cone dystrophy and in some of retinal degenerations for differential diagnosis were described. Electrophysiological state of retina in retinal dystrophy depends on patient's age and pattern of inheritance. Very often typical for dystrophy changes in ERG and EOG without any visible pathology on eye fundi are found. On the other hand there are some of degenerations similar to dystrophies in clinical examination. In such cases only ERG and EOG allow to be sure which diagnosis should be done.