The Kellogg Eye Center provides electrophysiological and psychophysical tests for visual function assessment in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of eye diseases. The diagnostic tests reflect retinal, optic nerve, and visual pathway function.
Tests offered
- Kinetic Visual Field Test with Goldmann perimeter (GVF)
- Static Perimetry with Humphrey perimeter (HVF)
- Color Vision - Ishihara, HRR, Farnsworth D-15, Farnsworth 100-Hue, Nagel Anamoloscope
- Dark-adaptation (DA)
- Electroretinogram (ERG)
The electroretinogram (ERG) measures the mass electrical activity of the cells within the retina in response to light stimulation. It provides objective information about widespread retinal function of rods and cones, and of the inner retina. It is recorded using a contact lens electrode placed on the cornea after the patient is given topical anesthesia. The patient is presented with a flash of light, and the electrodes record the retinal potentials. The ERG is considered the primary diagnostic test for a variety of retinal dystrophies and degenerations (including retinitis pigmentosa and cone dystrophies), as well as inflammatory, vascular and toxic disorders. - Electro-oculogram (EOG)
- Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP)
- Multifocal ERG (MFERG)
Recommended Tests
| Tentative diagnosis | Recommended Tests |
|---|---|
| Achromatopsia | ERG, GVF, DA, Color |
| Age-Related Macular Degeneration with light sensitivity (Senile cone degeneration) |
ERG, GVF |
| Albinism | ERG, GVF |
| Best’s Disease | ERG, GVF, EOG |
| Cone Dystrophy | ERG, GVF, DA, Color |
| Inflammatory conditions | ERG, GVF |
| Intraocular foreign bodies | ERG, EOG |
| Night Blindness | ERG, GVF, DA |
| Nystagmus | ERG, Color |
| Optic Neuropathy | VEP, Color, ERG |
| Opaque media or trauma | ERG, GVF |
| Photophobia, decreased vision | ERG, GVF, DA |
| Retinal Dystrophy | ERG, GVF, DA, Color |
| Retinitis Pigmentosa | ERG, GVF, DA |
| Retinoschisis | ERG, GVF, DA, Color |
| Stargardt’s Macular Degeneration | ERG, GVF, DA, EOG, Color |
| Toxic conditions | ERG |
| Unexplained visual loss | VEP, ERG, GVF |
Diagnostic Visual Service Group
- Naheed W. Khan, PhD, Co-Director
- Kari E. Branham, MS, CGC, Genetic Counselor
- Ashley Moncrief Thompson, BS, Electrophysiology Technician
Referrals
If you have questions or wish to refer a patient for diagnostic visual electrophysiology testing, please call 734-764-4190.