Multifocal electroretinograms in Stargardt's disease/fundus flavimaculatus.

PURPOSE

To determine whether the characteristics of multifocal electroretinograms (mfERGs) were correlated with the ophthalmic appearance of the fundus in patients with Stargardt's disease/fundus flavimaculatus (SFF).

METHODS

Full-field ERGs, mfERGs, and general ophthalmic examinations were performed on 49 eyes with SFF.

RESULTS

The SFF patients were divided into four subtypes according to the classification of Noble and Carr [Arch Ophthalmol 1979;97:1281-1285]. The patients with type 1 SFF had severely reduced mfERGs in the macular area and reduced and delayed responses in the mid-periphery. The type 2 SFF patients had reduced but recordable mfERGs from the center of the macula with more depressed responses in the paramacular area, and the type 3 SFF patients had reduced and delayed mfERGs both in the macula and periphery. The patients with type 4 SFF had normal mfERGs in the macular area and delayed responses in all outer zones.

CONCLUSIONS

These mfERG findings indicate that each subtype of SFF has unique characteristics corresponding to the abnormal retinal functions.