Diagnostic Visual Electrophysiology Service

U-M Kellogg Eye Center
1000 Wall Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734-763-5874
(Map)

Appointments

734-763-5874 - Retina Clinic
734-763-2280 - Jill Oversier, Service Coordinator

Testing

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
Nightblindness	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

Visual Diagnostic Service Group

• John R. Heckenlively, M.D., Director
• Naheed W. Khan, Ph.D., Co-Director    
• Kari E. Branham, M.S., C.G.C., Genetic Counselor
• Ashley Moncrief Thompson, B.S., Electrophysiology Technician

For more information, see the Retina and Uveitis Clinic at the UM Kellogg Eye Center.