Cone-mediated retinal function in cats during development.

Cone electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded in kittens from 25 to 150 days of age and in adult cats. B-wave amplitudes in kittens between 25 and 94 days of age were either within the adult range or greater than adult responses. After about 100 days, all kittens had adult-like amplitudes. Cone b-wave implicit time was markedly prolonged at the earliest ages tested and only after 80 days was the timing like that in adult cats. Amplitude and timing of 40-Hz flicker ERGs confirmed the single flash cone ERG data. Critical flicker fusion frequency was mature by 74 days of age. These findings, taken together with previous results, indicate that there are differences in the time course of development of cone- and rod-mediated retinal function in the cat.