Principal components’ analysis of multifocal electroretinogram in retinitis pigmentosa

AIMS: To determine waveforms of multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) contributing significantly to the overall retinal response by using principal components’ analysis. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective, non-randomized, single-visit, observational, case-control study from a single tertiary ophthalmic center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with various forms of RP underwent mfERG testing for a period of one year. The first-order kernel responses of RP cases were compared with concurrently recruited healthy controls. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Parametric data was analyzed using the unpaired t test for differences between the implicit time and amplitudes of cases and controls. Principal components’ analysis was done for each implicit time and amplitude in cases with RP using the Varimax rotation method. RESULTS: From March 2006 to March 2007, 24 cases with typical RP (56%, 47 eyes) were included in the final analysis. Their mean age was 33.7 years (19-69 ± 15.5 years). Comparison of latencies and amplitudes among RP cases with log MAR acuity ≤ 0.18 and those > 0.18, revealed significant difference in the implicit time (P1) in Ring 2 only (P=0.028). Two components (predominently from Ring 1 and 2) each contributing 66.8% and 88.8% of the total variance in the data for latencies and amplitudes respectively, were seen. CONCLUSIONS: The first two rings of the mfERG contributed to the variance of waveforms in RP, irrespective of the visual acuity and poor visual field results.