Focus of the Report: This report focuses on pattern electroretinography (PERG) for the diagnosis of glaucoma.

Technology Description: Early diagnosis of glaucoma can reduce the risk of irreversible vision loss and blindness. Electroretinography (ERG) is a minimally invasive procedure that provides an objective assessment of retinal function. PERG is a refinement of ERG that measures the retinal response to a reversing black-and-white checkerboard or grating pattern, which alternates with a constant frequency and luminance. PERG mostly evaluates the function of retinal ganglion cells, which are the primary neurons affected by glaucoma.

Controversy: PERG can be costly and requires a high level of skill by the technician conducting the test. In addition, PERG is often conducted using invasive electrodes that are placed directly on the patient’s eye.

Key Questions:

  • What is the clinical performance (accuracy) of PERG for evaluation and prediction of glaucoma?

  • What is the clinical utility of PERG for glaucoma (i.e., what is the impact on patient management decisions or health outcomes)?

  • What are the safety issues associated with PERG?

  • Have definitive patient selection criteria been established for PERG?

If you have a Hayes login, click here to view the full report on the Knowledge Center.