Clinical electroretinography in diabetic retinopathy: a review.

The electroretinogram (ERG) is a noninvasive, objective technique to evaluate retinal function that has become increasingly important in the study of diabetic retinopathy. We summarize the principles and rationale of the ERG, present findings from recent clinical studies that have used the full-field ERG, multifocal ERG, and pattern ERG to evaluate neural dysfunction in patients with diabetes, and weigh the strengths and limitations of the technique as it applies to clinical studies and management of patients with diabetic retinopathy. Taken together, ERG studies have provided convincing evidence for dysfunction of the neural retina in patients with diabetes, including those who have no clinically-apparent retinal vascular abnormalities.