The first electrophysiology standard was published in 1989 [1] as a collaboration between the international society for clinical electrophysiology of vision (ISCEV) and the National Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation of the USA and is currently in its seventh version [2]. These Standards are the keystone of clinical visual electrophysiology, embedding comparability and repeatability in the tests to an extent rarely achieved in clinical or laboratory measurement. We start 2024 with the publication of the guideline for the full-field stimulus test (FST) [3]. The guideline is the result of a successful collaboration between ISCEV and the imaging and perimetry society (IPS), bringing together both electrophysiology and psychophysics expertise as required for conduct and interpretation of the FST.

As management of eye disease moves into the era of advanced therapeutics for the stabilization and treatment of previously untreatable diseases, the array of outcome measures to screen for suitability for a trial and for assessment of therapy must be expanded. Visual acuity is most often used but is not helpful for patients with low vision. We are in need of a measure of visual function from a wider area of retina that is robust for measuring both very low vision and scotopic vision. This will be particularly useful in gene therapy, cell therapies, retinal or cortical implants, optogenetics and other technologies focussed on improving quality of life to patients with low vision. The FST is being used for both these purposes, and the publication of this guideline creates the possibility of test comparability and repeatability across centres.

As therapeutic options expand, and the scope of what is possible with electrophysiology equipment also expands, we anticipate this will be the first collaboration, but not the last to combine expertise. As seen with the first electrophysiology standard in 1989, multidisciplinary work is the most fruitful way to move forward. We hope this initial FST guideline will be widely applied in assessing visual function, including clinical trials, for various low-vision disorders.

On behalf of the Joint Committee of ISCEV and the Imaging and Perimetry Society (IPS)

JK Jolly, Chair of the Joint Committee of IPS and ISCEV

C Matsumoto, President of IPS

R Hamilton, President of ISCEV