title: The pattern electroretinogram: a long-term study in acute optic neuropathy.
abstract: We report a 2-year prospective study of the electroretinographic response to reversal of checkerboard patterns (P-ERG) obtained in 63 eyes with acute optic nerve lesions. The aim of the study was to document the value of P-ERG regarding diagnosis and prognosis of four types of optic neuropathy: optic neuritis, compressive or hereditary optic atrophy, and traumatic optic neuropathy. We documented visual loss by neuro-ophthalmologic examination and recorded pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (P-VEP). The initial P-ERG was normal to large- and medium-sized checks in 89% and the P-VEP abnormal in 94% of eyes with acute optic nerve lesions. Forty-six eyes were followed for up to 2 years. Two groups emerged. Group A (n = 17) gradually and permanently had significant reduction of the P-ERG to three separate check sizes. All 17 had no improvement in acuity better than 20/100, retained centrocecal scotomas, and developed optic atrophy. In group B (n = 29) the P-ERG remained within normal limits to one or more check sizes. Twenty-two of these eyes recovered acuity to 20/25 or better and had resolution of the field defect. The data showed that P-VEP was superior to P-ERG in diagnosis of acute and chronic optic nerve lesions. However, significant reduction of the b-wave of the P-ERG to three separate check sizes correlated closely with failure of visual recovery and the eventual development of severe optic atrophy, suggesting a prognostic value for P-ERG in optic neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824.
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Lorance
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Wray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004596:Electroretinography; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual