Is white the right light for the clinical electrooculogram?

Doc Ophthalmol. 2021 Dec;143(3):297-304. doi: 10.1007/s10633-021-09845-9. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate if a lower luminance monochromatic LED stimulus could be used as an alternative to a high luminance white light for the clinical electrooculogram.

Methods: Clinical electrooculograms were recorded in color normal participants (N = 23) aged 22.6 ± 1.2 years, 7 male and 16 female using the standard 100 cd.m-2 white illuminant and four monochromatic LEDs with peak wavelengths of 448, 534, 596 and 634 nm at 30 cd.m-2. Pupils were dilated and there was a 30 cd.m-2pre-adaptation to white light for 2 min followed by 15 min dark adaptation and 20 min recording in the light stimulus using a Ganzfeld stimulator.

Results: The normalized LP:DTratio for the short wavelength LED (448 nm) was equivalent in amplitude and timing to the ISCEV standard EOG (p = .99). The LP:DTratio for the white (100 cd.m-2) and 448 nm (30 cd.m-2) were (median ± SEM): 2.49 ± .11 and 2.47 ± .11. The time to light-rise peak was also equivalent being 9.0 ± .2 and 8.0 ± .4 min (p = .54).

Conclusions: Consideration may be given to using a short wavelength monochromatic stimulus that is more comfortable for the subject than the current 100 cd.m-2 illuminant.

Keywords: Light-rise; Luminance; Patient comfort; Spectral; Wavelength.

MeSH terms

  • Dark Adaptation
  • Electrooculography
  • Electroretinography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Male
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Pupil*