Effect of oral photochemotherapy (8-methoxypsoralen + UVA) on the electrophysiologic function of retina.
BACKGROUND
Since we had observed electroretinographic (ERG) abnormalities in some patients undergoing photochemotherapy with normal eye examination, we decided to investigate the effects of this therapy on retinal function.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of oral photochemotherapy (8-methoxypsoralen + Ultraviolet-A) on electrophysiologic function of retina.


METHODS
Patients with vitiligo, psoriasis or eczema were enrolled. Patients with any abnormal eye exam or a positive drug or family history for retinal disease were excluded. Baseline standard ERG was provided with the RETIport32 device. The second ERG was performed 6 months after the first and at least 1 week after the last photochemotherapy session (mean number of sessions: 45 ± 11). The outcome measures were changes in rod response, standard combined response, single-flash cone response, 30-Hz flicker (N1-P1) and oscillatory potentials amplitudes.


RESULTS
Forty patients were enrolled; 20 of them (mean age: 31.1 ± 12 years) completed the study. The mean rod response b-wave amplitude decreased from 88.9 ± 47.5 to 86.4 ± 36.6 and standard combined response b-wave amplitude decreased from 266.52 to 261.85 µV (p = 0.422 and p = 0.968, respectively) and the standard combined response a-wave amplitude increased from 155.4 ± 40.0 at baseline to 165.1 ± 48.4 in the follow-up ERG (p = 0.092). The mean single-flash cone response a-wave amplitude decreased insignificantly in the follow-up ERG trace (34.5 ± 13.7 and 29 ± 15.4, respectively, p = 0.242). The mean single-flash cone response b-wave amplitude showed an insignificant increase (p = 0.087). The amplitudes of 30-Hz flicker wave and oscillatory potentials did not change significantly in the follow-up ERG (p = 0.551 and p = 0.739, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Since no significant change in ERG traces was observed, oral photochemotherapy seems safe for retinal electrophysiologic function.
a Faculty of Medicine, Retina Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad , Islamic Republic of Iran .
Nasser
N
Shoeibi
b Faculty of Medicine, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Research Center , Mashhad , Islamic Republic of Iran .
Ahmadreza
A
Taheri
c Khatam Al Anbia Eye Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad , Islamic Republic of Iran .
Maliheh
M
Nikandish
d Department of Ophthalmology , Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad , Islamic Republic of Iran , and.
Arash
A
Omidtabrizi
a Faculty of Medicine, Retina Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad , Islamic Republic of Iran .
Nasim
N
Khosravi
e School of Paramedicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad , Islamic Republic of Iran.
Maryam
M
Kadkhoda
e School of Paramedicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad , Islamic Republic of Iran.
Somayeh Ghassemi
SG
Moghaddam
D000328:Adult; D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy; D004596:Electroretinography; D006801:Humans; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000188:drug therapy; D055815:Young Adult
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D008730:Methoxsalen
Electroretinography; photochemotherapy; psoriasis; retina; vitiligo