The effect of filter bandwidth on the multifocal electroretinogram.

The effect of filter bandwith on the multifocal electroretinogram was assessed by means of theoretical calculation, electronic simulation and real multifocal electroretinogram recordings. Waveform distortion by high-pass filtering on simulated square waves, normal electroretinogram waveforms and negative electroretinogram waveforms was demonstrated. The theory of the effect of differentiation on electroretinogram waveform shape by electronic filtering indicates that little effect would be observed by changing the input filter cut-off for normal electroretinographic waveform shapes. However, negative electroretinogram waveforms are differentiated when the high-pass filter setting is increased. The differentiation effect artificially recreates a positive component that could be mistaken as a b-wave component. To eliminate this effect when recording multifocal electroretinograms, a high-pass filter setting of less than 1 Hz should be used to preserve the true electroretinographic waveform shape.