The field topography of ERG components in man--I. The photopic luminance response.

A technique of multi-input systems analysis is used to explore the field topography of ERG responses to local luminance modulation. Variations in amplitude and wave form are studied within the central 23 degrees. Outside the fovea, the amplitude appears to follow a simple power law rx as a function of eccentricity r where x is approximately -2/3. The largest inter-subject variability is found in the fovea. Some nasal-temporal asymmetry is observed in all subjects with higher response densities in the temporal field outside the blind spot. The topography of the luminance response shares all these properties with the density of retinal cones.