Flicker electroretinograms before and after intravitreal ranibizumab injection in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To compare the amplitudes and implicit times of the flicker electroretinograms before and after an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) in eyes with a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 15 consecutive patients who had macular oedema secondary to CRVO and had received an IVR at the Nagoya University Hospital from November 2013 to July 2014. Flicker ERGs were recorded with both the RETeval TM system and a conventional ERG system before the IVR. One month after the IVR, recordings were repeated with only the RETeval TM system. Results: The mean implicit times of the flicker ERGs of the affected eyes recorded with the RETeval TM system were significantly longer than that of the fellow eyes (32.2 AE 2.6 msec versus 28.1 AE 1.2 msec, p < 0.001). One month after the IVR, the implicit times of the flicker ERGs of affected eyes were significantly shortened from 32.2 AE 2.6 to 30.6 AE 2.2 msec (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The shortening of the implicit times of the flicker ERGs after the IVR indicates an improvement of retinal function after anti-VEGF therapy for CRVO eyes.

A novel device for accurate and efficient testing for vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy

“…Subjects with concurrent eye disease that could affect the ERG (e.g., retinal vascular occlusive disease 30, 48–50 ) were excluded from this study to avoid confounding the results. These diseases have a similar effect on the ERG and therefore are likely to cause a false positive result.…”

Cotton-wool spots and migraine: a case series of three patients

“…3,4 Furthermore, studies have shown patients with migraine to have reduced RNFL thickness, suggesting that, although vasospasm is in itself a transient occurrence, the chronic natural history of migraine may lead to permanent structural changes. 5 This small case series highlights an association between migraine and CWS, and emphasises the importance of taking a full medical history when assessing patients with sudden onset of visual field defect secondary to CWS.…”

“…2 Branch retinal artery occlusion attenuates the N1, P1, and N2 components in the distribution of ischaemic retina on mfERG. 5 mfERG is capable of identifying wider retinal dysfunction than that suggested clinically. 6 It has been used to demonstrate functional recovery following retinal artery occlusion 7 and to detect subclinical retinal dysfunction in Susac's syndrome.…”

“…Electrodiagnostic testing is not as readily available as OCT, so this may not be always feasible. The development of handheld devices may allow more widespread use, 5 although recordings using these devices may need greater validation. Also, more localised arteriolar insufficiency may not be detected so sensitively by full-field techniques, in which case multifocal electroretinography can be helpful.…”

Electrophysiological findings show generalised post-photoreceptoral deficiency in macular telangiectasia type 2

“…An increase in neuronal activity during flicker stimulation may lead to a microvascular reaction via the release of vasodilators such as nitric oxide 18. Neurovascular coupling is affected and flicker peak-time delays found in diseases such as diabetic retinopathy,18 birdshot chorioretinopathy (BCR)19 20 and vascular occlusions21 that are associated with inner retinal disturbance. When the pathophysiological changes in BCR purely reflect an inflammatory process, there can be preservation of amplitude but marked shift in peak time; more advanced disease tends to show both amplitude and peak-time change.…”