OBJECTIVESTo explore the changes of multifocal electroretinograms (mfERG) before and after retinal detachment surgery and to evaluate its clinical significance.

METHODSTwenty-three patients (23 eyes) with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment underwent mfERG before and after surgery. The latencies and average response densities of N(1)-wave and P(1)-wave of mfERGs in detached areas, attached areas, fovea and the entire tested area were compared before and after surgery.

RESULTSPreoperatively, the average response densities of N(1)-wave and P(1)-wave in the detached area were significantly smaller than those in attached areas (t = 3.68, t = 4.26, P < 0.01), and the latencies of N(1)-wave and P(1)-wave in detached areas were significantly longer than those in attached areas (t = 3.07, t = 3.89, P < 0.01). Postoperatively, the average response densities of N(1)-wave and P(1)-wave in detached areas, fovea and the entire tested area increased, and there were significant differences pre- and postoperatively (P < 0.05). However, the latencies of N(1)-wave and P(1)-wave before and after surgery showed no significant differences (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe mfERG is a useful tool to evaluate the recovery of posterior retinal function after retinal detachment surgery. The response density is a more sensitive index than latency to evaluate retinal function of retinal detachment.