Abstract
AIMS: Both pattern electroretinogram and peripheral colour contrast thresholds have been shown to be abnormal in glaucoma and ocular hypertension. This study evaluates each of these tests as tools for the early diagnosis of glaucoma, compares and contrasts the results, and examines the relation between the two tests in a large cohort of ocular hypertensive patients. METHODS: Transient and steady state pattern electroretinograms and peripheral colour contrast thresholds were performed in 45 normal, 37 glaucomatous, and 206 ocular hypertensive eyes. The results were analysed using receiver operating characteristic curves, together with evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of the tests. The relation between the two tests was examined by direct statistical correlation of the results. RESULTS: All tests showed high sensitivity and specificity for discriminating between normal and glaucomatous eyes. However, there was a significant difference between the two tests for the number of ocular hypertensives considered as abnormal. Forty per cent of ocular hypertensives had abnormal pattern electroretinogram compared with 30% with abnormal peripheral colour vision. Peripheral colour contrast thresholds showed a significant correlation with both transient and steady state pattern electroretinogram. CONCLUSION: Both of these tests have been shown to be promising new tools for the early detection of glaucoma but the number of ocular hypertensive patients showing abnormal results is rather higher than expected considering the natural history of the condition. Sensitivity in ocular hypertension may be increased by using a combination of both tests. The significant correlation between these psychophysical and electrophysiological tests is discussed.