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. 1998 Sep;116(9):1161-8.
doi: 10.1001/archopht.116.9.1161.

Foveal outer retinal function in eyes with unexplained visual symptoms or acuity loss

A Weiner  1 , M E Schmidt, S Patel, C H Gussler, B F Remler, S R Kaufman, H D Kohn, D T Weidenthal
Affiliations

Foveal outer retinal function in eyes with unexplained visual symptoms or acuity loss

A Weiner et al. Arch Ophthalmol. 1998 Sep.

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.

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