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The role of electrophysiology
Author(s) -
HOLDER GE
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2010.4224.x
Subject(s) - fundus (uterus) , electrophysiology , electroretinography , medicine , erg , visual field , optic nerve , ophthalmology , retinal , audiology
Purpose To describe the roles of electrophysiology in patients with medically unexplained visual loss Methods Standardised full‐field and pattern ERGs and VEPs; additional pattern appearance VEPs to quantify visual system resolution when necessary in patients with suspected non‐organic visual loss. Results Selected cases will be used to illustrate the roles of electrophysiology. A diagnosis of non‐organic visual loss is confirmed by the demonstration of normal visual system function in the presence of symptoms that suggest otherwise. Patients with optic nerve disease may have a normal fundus appearance, and not all macular dysfunction is associated with an abnormal appearance of the macula; both pattern VEP and pattern ERG are needed in such cases. Further, there are many patients with retinal disease where the fundus appearance may be normal but ERGs are abnormal. Conclusion Objective functional assessment with electrophysiology is indispensable to the diagnosis and management of patients with medically unexplained visual loss.