Correlation between the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and the Pattern Electroretinogram Amplitude

Objective: To establish a correlation between the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured by a scanning laser polarimeter (GDx) and the pattern electroretinogram (p-ERG) amplitudes in a heterogeneous population sample composed of normal subjects, ocular hypertensive and glaucomatous patients. Methods: 112 subjects were considered: 40 glaucomatous patients, 39 ocular hypertensive and 33 normal subjects. All were examined with the GDx, and the RNFL thickness was measured. A transient p-ERG was then recorded. Results: A statistically significant correlation was observed between the RNFL thickness and the p-ERG amplitudes (p < 0.001) by means of linear regression analysis. Conclusion: We observed a strict correlation between the measurements of the RNFL thickness obtained with the GDx and the amplitude of the p-ERG signal. These techniques represent additional objective tools to detect an early glaucomatous damage.