Abstract
Purpose: :
Photopic negative response (PhNR) is known to represent retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function. We used focal electroretinogram (fERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to examine the correlation between RGC function and retinal thickness and macular volume in patients with Behcet’s disease.
Methods: :
We analyzed 11 Behcet’s disease patients (22 eyes) who visited Tokyo Medical University Uveitis Clinic between 2010 and 2011 and underwent fERG and OCT. All of 11 patients revealed 1 or more intraocular inflammatory attacks involving posterior segment of the eye. Mydriatics were administered to the patients before fERG recordings were performed. Focal electroretinogram recordings were performed using a Burian-Allen ERG electrode and a stimulus system integrated into a fundus camera (ER-80, Kowa). The stimulus conditions were as follows: background illumination: 1.5 cd/m2; stimulus intensity: 15 cds/m2; stimulus duration: 100 ms; stimulus spot size: 15° in diameter. The responses were digitally band-pass filtered and analyzed. (Neuropack μ, MEB-9104, Nihon Koden). The PhNR amplitude was evaluated at 80 msec after the flash. For retinal thickness analysis, an OCT macular cube 512 x 128 scan (Cirrus, Carl Zeiss) was performed.Retinal thickness of 5 segments of the macula (superior, inferior, nasal, temporal, and foveal) and total macular volume were analyzed.
Results: :
A significant negative correlation was observed between PhNR amplitude and total macular volume, average retinal thickness, and superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal retina (r = -0.4276 ~ -0.4587, p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation was also observed between disease duration and total retinal volume and average retinal thickness (r = -0.6606 and -0.6880, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: :
The association between reduction in PhNR amplitude and decrease in average retinal thickness and macular volumes suggests RGC layer damage in Behcet’s disease patients. A negative correlation between disease duration and retinal thickness also suggests retinal damage due to repeated intraocular inflammation including chronic retinal vasculitis.
Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • electroretinography: clinical • inflammation