title: The pattern visual evoked potential and pattern electroretinogram in drusen-associated optic neuropathy.
abstract: Sixteen patients (29 eyes) with optic disc drusen were studied prospectively for clinical and electrophysiologic evidence of impaired optic nerve conduction. Abnormalities were detected in the following areas: visual acuity, eight (28%) of 29 eyes; kinetic visual field, 22 (76%) of 29 eyes; results of Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue test, 12 (41%) of 29 eyes; and flash visual evoked potential, 13 (54%) of 24 eyes. Simultaneous pattern visual evoked potentials and results of pattern electroretinograms were recorded. The P100 latency of the pattern visual evoked potential was prolonged in 41% of eyes. The P50 and N95 components of the pattern electroretinogram were also analyzed. The P50 amplitude was reduced in only four (17%) of 24 eyes. The most common abnormality was a reduction in amplitude or the absence of the N95 component in 19 (79%) of 24 eyes, reflecting ganglion cell dysfunction. The data support mounting evidence that the P50 and N95 components of the pattern electroretinogram have different retinal origins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Scholl
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Wray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004596:Electroretinography; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D015594:Optic Disk Drusen / Q000150:complications*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014787:Vision Tests; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields