Alterations in the focal electroretinogram (FERG) after experimental retinal detachment and spontaneous reattachment in albino rabbits were studied. Retinal detachments of two disc diameters were produced by injecting balanced salt solution into the subretinal space. FERGs were obtained under direct fundus visualization by an infrared television fundus camera with a light stimulator. The preoperative b-wave amplitude and implicit time were 0.52 +/- 0.07 microV and 59.7 +/- 3.8 ms (mean +/- SD), respectively. Thirty minutes after retinal detachment, the amplitude decreased significantly to 0.05 +/- 0.09 microV (p < 0.0001). The next day, we confirmed retinal reattachment ophthalmoscopically and the amplitude recovered to 0.30 +/- 0.07 microV. Then it gradually increased to 0.54 +/- 0.07 microV 7 days after the operation. The implicit time increased significantly to 66.6 +/- 4.1 ms 30 min after retinal detachment (p < 0.01), was maximal the day after surgery (69.9 +/- 4.9 ms), and thereafter shortened. However, the implicit time did not recover completely and was significantly delayed compared with preoperatively even 28 days postoperatively (65.4 +/- 3.4 ms, p < 0.01). These data suggest that functional abnormalities persist in the reattached rabbit retina, even following a brief retinal detachment.