Local electroretinogram and pattern visual evoked potential in maculopathies.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the characteristics of local electroretinogram (LERG) in normal subjects and patients with maculopathies, and to evaluate the applied worth of LERG and pattern visual evoked potential (PVEP) in maculopathies.


METHODS
LERGs at 5 degrees and 15 degrees macular regions were recorded from 27 normal subjects (54 eyes). The factors of age, different eyes and stimulate areas for LERG influence were observed. Meanwhile, the LERG and PVEP were recorded from 25 patients (35 eyes) with maculopathies for making contrast study.


RESULTS
In normal subjects, there was no significant influence of age to LERG. As the stimulated areas increased, the a- and b-wave amplitudes of LERG increased. In the patients with maculopathies, the a- and b-wave amplitudes of LERG at 5 degrees, 10 degrees and 15 degrees macular regions were significantly lowered and the mean values of P1 latency were prolonged and N1-P1 amplitudes of VEP were lowered, comparing with the control group. In the nearing stimulated area (5 degrees LERG and 14.9 x 19 degrees PVEP), there were no significant differences of the abnormal rates of both LERG and PVEP.


CONCLUSIONS
There are close sensitivities of testing the function of macular region with LERG and PVEP in maculopathies. However, LERG is not influenced by the visual path diseases and visual acuity, it is a more effective and direct way than PVEP in measuring macular function.
Wu
D Z
DZ
Zhongshan Ophtalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
Luo
G
G
Huang
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004596:Electroretinography; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged