Topographical analysis of peripheral vs central retina with pattern reversal visual evoked response and the scanning laser ophthalmoscope

The contribution of the central and the surrounding peripheral retina to the pattern reversal visual evoked response (PVER) was analyzed simultaneously using double frequency stimulation and the Fast Fourier transform (FFT) method. The Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (SLO) was used to project the pattern stimulus, a square subtending 10 degrees on a side, on a specific location in the fundus and to monitor accurately the stimulus position during PVER testing. When the stimulus' area on the central retina was ≤ 50 min of are on a side, or 0.69% of the total area was stimulated (a square of 10 degrees on a side), the contribution from the central retina was neglibible, and the PVER was dominated by surrounding peripheral retinal activity. When the stimulus area of the central retina was ≥ 100 min of are on a side, or 2.78% of the whole area was stimulated, activity from the central retina became more evident. When the stimulus area projected on the central retina became 150 min on a side (6.25% of the area or greater), activity from the central retina showed an increase and exceeded that of the peripheral retina. When the central area became larger, its activity dominated the PVER, and the contribution from the peripheral retina became negligible at this stage. The PVER was highly dependent upon the activity of the central retina, and activity levels from the central and surrounding peripheral retina were correlated.