[Local electroretinogram and pattern visual evoked potential in maculopathies].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the changes of local electroretinogram (LERG) and pattern visual evoked potential (PVEP) in maculopathies and to evaluate the value of both LERG and PVEP in clinical application.


METHODS
LERGs at 5 degrees, 10 degrees and 15 degrees macular region were recorded from 27 normal subjects (54 eyes). The LERG and PVEP were recorded from 25 patients (35 eyes) with maculopathies.


RESULTS
In the patients with maculopathies, the amplitudes of LERG a wave and b wave at 5 degrees, 10 degrees and 15 degrees macular region were significantly lowered (P < 0.01), the mean value of P1 latency was prolonged and that of N1-P1 amplitude of VEP was lowered at 36.5', 73' and 146' in the comparison with the control group. In approximately the same stimulated area (15 degrees LERG and 14.8 degrees x 19.0 degrees PVEP), the abnormal rate of LERG was 62.2%, and the abnormal rates of PVEPs were 48.5% (146'), 54.5% (73') and 48.5% (36.5') respectively, no significant difference in the abnormal rate between LERG and each value of PVEP (P > 0.05) being found.


CONCLUSIONS
The abnormal rates of LERG and PVEP in maculopathies are close. Because LERG is not influenced by visual pathway diseases and visual acuity, LERG is more effective than PVEP and is a direct way in measuring macular function.
Wu
D
D
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou.
Luo
G
G
Huang
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004596:Electroretinography; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged