Electroretinogram findings in unilateral optic neuritis

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.