We have three huge boxes in our office that contain the components of an ERG destined for Nepal. This ERG is not the kind that most of us are familiar with -- an ergometer, which has been described as a cruel torture device to torment rowers. Our ERG machine is for eyes, not rowers.
The electroretinogram (ERG) is used mainly by ophthalmologists for the diagnosis of various retinal diseases. Electroretinography measures the electrical responses of various cell types in the retina, including the photoreceptors (rods and cones). An ERG is also useful in determining if retinal surgery or other types of ocular surgery such as cataract extraction might be beneficial.
The one in the Seva Canada office is heading to Nepal next week, being carried by our wonderful donors who have offered to act as Sherpas for this valuable piece of eye-care equipment -- all 77 kg of it!
Huge thanks to the Rotary Club of San Francisco #2 who donated it to Seva and shipped it to Canada so it could make its long journey to the Himalayas.