Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To assess the early changes in multifocal ERG (mfERG) following photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization. Methods: Serial mfERG recordings were performed on 13 eyes of 13 patients receiving PDT. Recordings were performed using contact lens electrodes. First-order kernel mfERG responses were obtained using a standard 103 hexagons stimulating pattern. MfERG recordings were performed before PDT, at 3-5 days, at 10-14 days, and at 1 month after PDT. The N1 and P1 response amplitudes and implicit times in the central 0-7 degrees and the peripheral 7-22 degrees were grouped for analysis. Results: The N1 and P1 response amplitudes of the central 0-7 degrees at 3-5 days and at 10-14 days were significantly reduced following PDT (p<0.05). There was also a significant reduction in the N1 and P1 response amplitudes at 3-5 days for the peripheral 7-22 degrees (p<0.05). With exception to the N1 response amplitude for the central 0-7 degrees, no significant change in response amplitude was observed at 1 month after PDT for both the central and peripheral groups. A persistent reduction in N1 response amplitude at 1 month was observed following PDT (p<0.05). Conclusion: There is a transient impairment in retinal function following PDT as demonstrated by the reduction in mfERG response amplitudes. Since the early changes in mfERG were not reflected by the changes in visual acuity, mfERG might be a useful tool in monitoring patients following PDT.
Keywords: 516 photodynamic therapy • 395 electroretinography: clinical • 346 choroid: neovascularization