Comparison of subject acceptance in electroretinographic testing using contact lens and DTL electrodes with RETI-port/scan 21 to establish normative data at Siriraj Hospital

Abstract

Electroretinography is a test that measures retinal impulses resulting from the activity of both neural and non-neural retinal cells, which can be recorded using various electrodes. However, there are no reports regarding the acceptance and sensations associated with the use of contact lens electrodes (CL electrodes) and Dawson-Trick-Litzkow electrodes (DTL electrodes). This study compares the acceptance and sensations of volunteers using CL and DTL electrodes with the RETI-port/scan 21 machine at Siriraj Hospital. A questionnaire was administered to 20 volunteers with no history of ocular conditions or medication affecting the eyes, as part of the Eye Checkup Project aimed at establishing normative data for electrophysiological tests at Siriraj Hospital. Eighty-five percent of volunteers reported no symptoms with the DTL electrode, while 25% experienced mild irritation and 15% found it annoying. With the CL electrode, 50% of volunteers reported no symptoms, 35% experienced irritation, and 25% felt annoyance. Additionally, some volunteers reported discomfort, difficulty blinking, and dryness with the CL electrode. Fifty-five percent preferred the DTL electrode over the CL electrode, while 20% were comfortable using both. Redness was observed in 15% of volunteers for both electrode types, but pain was reported only with the CL electrode (3%). Overall, volunteers showed greater acceptance of the DTL electrode due to less discomfort and difficulty blinking, with the differences being statistically significant.