Faculty Collaboration Database

Foveal outer retinal function in eyes with unexplained visual symptoms or acuity loss. Arch Ophthalmol 1998 Sep;116(9):1161-8

Date

09/25/1998

Pubmed ID

9747673

DOI

10.1001/archopht.116.9.1161

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0032449562 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   5 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether foveal outer retinal dysfunction is common in eyes with unexplained visual symptoms or acuity loss.

DESIGN: Prospective study.

PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-three eyes of 44 consecutive patients with unexplained visual symptoms or acuity loss, 39 eyes of 39 control subjects, and 12 eyes of 7 patients with known maculopathy.

INTERVENTION: Foveal cone electroretinography (ERG) and letter recognition perimetry.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Foveal cone ERG data.

RESULTS: Abnormal foveal cone ERG data were recorded in 35 (48%) of 73 eyes (23 [52%] of 44 patients). Among these 35 eyes, amplitude was lower than in normal controls (P<.001) and was correlated with visual acuity and the number of letter recognition perimetry errors (P<.05 for both). The latter was higher in eyes with abnormal retinal responses than in symptomatic eyes with normal responses (P<.01). However, initial symptoms, visual acuity, and macular appearance did not differentiate between these 2 groups. Foveal cone ERG test vs retest data showed consistent results.

CONCLUSION: Foveal outer retinal dysfunction is a common underlying mechanism of previously unexplained visual symptoms or acuity loss. Foveal cone ERG testing should be considered early in the evaluation of eyes with this presentation.

Author List

Weiner A, Schmidt ME, Patel S, Gussler CH, Remler BF, Kaufman SR, Kohn HD, Weidenthal DT

Author

Bernd F. Remler MD Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Child
Electroretinography
Female
Fovea Centralis
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
Retina
Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells
Retinal Diseases
Vision Disorders
Visual Acuity
Visual Field Tests