Simultaneous structural and functional imaging of the macula using combined optical coherence tomography ophthalmoscope and multifocal electroretinogram

Multimodal imaging (MMI) is a new imaging technique that combines an electrophysiological test (multifocal electroretinogram) with an optical coherence tomography ophthalmoscope. MMI allows the two technologies to operate simultaneously yet independently to provide accurate correlation of macular structure and function at multiple sites. Preliminary work with MMI in patients with macular holes showed that functional deficits existed beyond the geographical area of structural alterations and that macular hole size did not always correlate with the severity of functional loss. Functional information may therefore be important when assessing prognosis in these patients. We envisage that MMI may prove a useful new tool in the assessment of many macular pathologies.