Neuroretinal function differs between young males, females

Multifocal electroretinogram implicit time differed significantly in males and females based on age and hysterectomy status, according to a study.

Researchers analyzed data for 1 eye from each of 50 normal participants (29 females, 21 males). First-order P1 implicit times and N1-P1 amplitudes from photopic multifocal electroretinograms were used to evaluate neuroretinal function. The researchers also examined local and global differences.

Significant differences in neuroretinal function were seen between male and female participants younger than 50 years old, according to the researchers. Local implicit times were shorter in 83 of 103 areas tested, and whole-eye implicit times were shorter in females than in males (P = .015).

Female participants who reported a hysterectomy demonstrated the longest whole-eye implicit times of any cohort in the study (P ≤ .0013). Among females who did not report hysterectomies, those aged older than 50 years had worse neuroretinal function, local implicit times were longer at 62 of the 103 areas tested and whole-eye implicit times were typically greater (P = .04), the researchers found.

Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.