The prognostic value of multifocal electroretinogram and optical coherence tomography in panretinal photocoagulation

Abstract

 

Purpose

 

To investigate the prognostic value of multi-focal electroretinography (mfERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in diabetic eyes receiving pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP).

 

Methods

 

Patients with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or early proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) who needed PRP were included in this study. MfERG and OCT data were recorded before PRP while the final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded at 6 months after PRP. The 1-3-6mm ETDRS macular grid was superimposed over the mfERG hexagonal pattern (Figure 1). For each area of the 9 sectors, the responses from the corresponding hexagons were summed for analysis. Correlations between pre-PRP data and post-PRP BCVA were analyzed with Pearson’s correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis.

 

Results

 

Among the 42 eyes included in this study, 31 eyes (73.8%) showed improvement or remained stable in visual acuity while 11 eyes (26.2%) showed deterioration in BCVA. The final BCVA was significantly correlated with the amplitude and latency of mfERG in all nine sectors and the amplitude had a stronger correlation than the latency. The foveal IS/OS and ELM status, as well as retinal t

 

Conclusions

 

A lower amplitude of mfERG and disrupted foveal IS/OS status were significantly correlated with worse visual prognosis in diabetic eyes after PRP.

 

 

Figure 1. The central 37 mfERG hexagons corresponding to the 9 sectors of the 1-3-6mm ETDRS macular grid. The hexagons corresponding to each sector were numbered separately and the responses from the hexagons were summed for analysis

 

 

Keywords: 499 diabetic retinopathy • 578 laser • 509 electroretinography: clinical