[Evaluation of macula in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion using multifocal electroretinogram and optical coherence tomography].

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functions of the macular area in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) by using multifocal electroretinograms (mERG) and optical coherence tomography(OCT). METHODS: mERGs were recorded from 18 eyes of 18 patients with BRVO. An array of 103 hexagonal elements was displayed on a monitor. The latency (ms) and response density (nV/deg2) of mERGs were measured for 7 central locations. The peak and troughs were labeled N1, P1 and N2, respectively. OCT was used to measure the foveal retinal thickness. RESULTS: Statistically significant correlation was found between visual acuity(log MAR) and P1-N1 response density (r = - 0.629, p < 0.05) and N2 latency(r = 0.619, p < 0.05). Foveal retinal thickness had the significant statistic correlations with P1-N1 response density (r = -0.750, p < 0.0001), P1-N2 response density (r = -0.520, p < 0.05) and N2 latency (r = 0.488, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In 18 BRVO patients, mERGs from the central retinal area were significantly correlated with foveal retinal thickness measured by OCT and with visual acuity. The mERG recording is sensitive to morphological changes and functional disorders induced by BRVO.