[The prognostic significance of the electrophysiological indices of the retina and optic nerve in patients with opacities of the optical media of the eye]

Abstract

Prognostic significance of the main electrophysiological parameters (electroretinogram, electrocoagulogram, visual evoked potentials), and electric sensitivity of the eye in diseases of the retina and optic nerve, and their informative value in patients with opaque optic media of the eye are discussed. The authors note that decrease of the total retinal biopotential and constant potential not always characterize the level of its viability (in retinitis pigmentosa, detachment, vitreous opacities, etc.). Insufficient informative value of visual evoked potentials in patients with opaque optic media is explained by impossibility of presenting pattern stimuli. Many-year clinical experience gained in study of electric sensitivity in more than 40,000 patients with diseases of the neuroreceptor system of the eye brought the authors to a conclusion that this method allows rapid assessment of the total area of visual field and optic nerve conductivity. Study of the threshold electric sensitivity in patients with opaque optic media is in fact the only method for assessing peripheral vision and viability of a detached retina.