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Electroretinogram findings in unilateral optic neuritis

Documenta Ophthalmologica volume 123, pages 173–178 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

To report the electrophysiological findings in patients with unilateral optic neuritis (ON), with particular reference to the electroretinogram (ERG). A retrospective analysis of full-field ERG, pattern ERG (PERG) and pattern visual evoked potential findings from 46 patients with clinical and electrophysiological findings in keeping with unilateral ON. ISCEV standard ERGs did not significantly differ between the optic neuritis and fellow eyes, nor between patients with and without MS. Differences were present in the N95 component of the PERG, which was significantly lower in the affected eye, and the pattern reversal visual evoked potential, which showed significantly longer peak time (latency) in the affected eye. In addition, there was a significant difference between patients with and without multiple sclerosis (MS). No significant inter-ocular asymmetry in ISCEV standard ERGs was present in these cases of unilateral optic neuritis, either as a clinically isolated syndrome or as part of multiple sclerosis. All ERGs recorded were normal.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank the consultant neuro-ophthalmologists: Dr Gordon Plant, Mr James Acheson and Dr Ahmed Toosey. CF acknowledges the support of the Sydney Eye Hospital Alumni Travelling Fellowship award and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists Eye Foundation Fellowship award. GEH acknowledges funding from the Foundation Fighting Blindness (USA) and the Alcon Research Institute. Also acknowledged is support from the Department of Health (UK) through an award made by the National Institute for Health Research to the Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162 City Road, London, EC1V 2PD, UK

    Clare L. Fraser

  2. Department of Electrophysiology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162 City Road, London, EC1V 2PD, UK

    Graham E. Holder

  3. Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK

    Graham E. Holder

Authors
  1. Clare L. Fraser
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  2. Graham E. Holder
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Correspondence to Graham E. Holder.

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Fraser, C.L., Holder, G.E. Electroretinogram findings in unilateral optic neuritis. Doc Ophthalmol 123, 173–178 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-011-9294-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-011-9294-x

Keywords

  • Electroretinogram
  • Visual evoked potential
  • Optic neuritis