Currently, electroretinograms (ERGs) are mainly recorded while using flashes as stimuli. In this review, we will argue that strong flashes are not ideal for studying visual information processing. ERG responses to periodic stimuli may be more strongly associated with the activity of post-receptoral neurons (belonging to different retino-geniculate pathways) and, therefore, be more relevant for visual perception. We will also argue that the use of periodic stimuli may be an attractive addition to clinically available retinal electrophysiological methods.

The goal of this work was to study interactions of chromaticity and luminance in edge identification. Two horizontal spatial sawtooth patterns, one with positive and the other with negative harmonics, were compared in a two-alternative forced-choice (2-AFC) procedure. The observer identified which pattern had sharp upper or lower edges. The fundamental frequency was 2 cycles/deg (cpd), with 5 cycles presented in a 2.5-deg square field. The pattern was presented as a 1-s raised temporal cosine, replacing part of an 8-deg background. Stimuli were specified in a cone troland (l, s, Y) chromaticity space, with correction for individual equiluminance at a nominal 115 td, and individual tritan direction. A preliminary set of interleaved staircases established edge identification for the six directions of the (l, s, Y) space. Three compound stimuli combining two orthogonal directions were chosen and included with the end-points in five randomly interleaved staircases. For combinations of Y with l-chromaticity, or l- with s-chromaticity, probability summation was observed. Combinations of Y with s-chromaticity revealed opponency. Data for +s, +Y and −s, −Y were subadditive; data for +s, −Y and −s, +Y were additive. Control studies using detection rather than edge identification revealed probability summation for all combinations. Luminance edges did not enhance stimuli with l-chromaticities. There was an interaction of luminance edges with s-chromaticities. Dim “blues” and bright “yellows” showed linear summation. Bright “blues” and dim “yellows” showed opponency.