Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose. To investigate the diagnostic value of multifocal ERG (mfERG) in the follow up of interferon-alfa therapy in patients with uveitis posterior/panuveitis due to Behçet's disease. Patients and Methods. Up to now 10 patients with ocular Behçet's disease, diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Study Group, were examined with the VERIS multifocal ERG system following ISCEV standard protocol. MfERGs were obtained before, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after initiating therapy with Interferon (IFN) α2a. For evaluation, responses were grouped by eccentricity. Peak amplitudes and implicit times of each group response were determined. Additionally, mfERG results were related to other parameters such as visual acuity and visual field testing. Results. Before therapy, the mfERG showed amplitude loss of the first positive peak (P1) in the affected eyes, predominantly in the macular region (group 1 and 2), with or without delayed peak times. Follow-up under interferon-therapy revealed an increase of macular P1 amplitudes, and a decrease of P1 peak times. Furthermore, visual acuity and visual field changes improved. Conclusions. Multifocal electroretinography can be used to detect retinal dysfunction in patients with uveitis due to Behçet's Disease. Responses of the mfERG reflects well the clinical course in these patients during IFNα2a treatment. Thus, it is possible to objectively follow-up therapeutic interventions in Behçet's Disease.
Keywords: autoimmune disease • electroretinography: clinical • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: tre