Eye Research and Development

 

Ocuscience supports many laboratories around the world in their efforts to better understand the eye and bring major advances in medicine. ERG is a quantifiable measure of the retinal "electrical" response to a specific light stimulus.  This electrophysiological response can be interpreted to diagnosis diseases, identify toxicological effects, and analytically assess therapeutic treatments.  The HMsERG is used in research on all types of mammals as well as birds and reptiles.   

 

In advancing the science of electrophysiology of vision, we are bringing new and user friendly diagnostic instruments to researchers.  Some key features of technology in our product line include the ability to use "protocols" to conduct standardized series of tests as defined by the International Society for Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV), or create your own customized protocols.  We incorporate a calibrated mini-Ganzfeld stimulator for best illumination of the whole retina.  The white on white LEDs can produce up to 30 cd.s/m².  If you would like more information, click here.

 

Our portfolio includes necessary accessories for conducting ERGs on all sizes of mammals and other vertebrate species.  We have a broad line of electrodes for different research and clinical environments including "active" silver-embedded nylon thread electrodes, ERG-Jet contact lens electrodes as well as reference/ground stainless steel subdermal needle electrodes. 

 

Mouse ERG is a common animal model used with the HMsERG.  We provide a variety of accessories for mice from contact lenses to prevent dehydration to a complete system for setting up mouse Flash ERG studies. You can see all our products by going to Order Online.  Our site is for use by appropriately credentialed ophthalmic professionals, we request you login so we can monitor who accesses our resources. 

 

 

 

The HMsERG is a Full field Flash ERG is used regularly to screen animal patients prior to cataract surgery.  The benefit to the patient is determining the functional health of the retina before the cataract procedure, thus avoid a costly bill to the owner and no visual benefit to the patient. ERG is a definitive and "quantifiable" measure of the patient's health and should be standard of practice prior to surgery.  The information from an ERG exam need to minimally include an image of the retina waveforms, "rod" photoreceptor function in a dark adapted state and the summed functionality of both the rods and cones photoreceptors.

 

If the patient is suspected of having Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), special attention must be paid to patients who also develop spontaneous cataracts.  These PRA patients are losing or have lost their vision.  The owner must be aware of the state of retinal health and make the best decision about the benefits of the cataract surgery.  In these cases, a more thorough examination under anesthesia is suggested.  This level of examination should minimally include the rod photoreceptor dark adaptation capability, the rods and cones summed functionality, and the cone photoreceptors.  For more information, go to Publications for articles on "Dog Diagnostic" procedures.

 

If you are interested in learning more about electrophysiology of vision, we strongly suggest you visit the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision at www.iscev.org.