Electrophysiological methods‐ exact diagnostics in ophthalmology

Abstract

AbstractGoalAfter short theoretical introduction, explaining the basic principles of electrophysiological investigation, the authors show a few case reports. They analyze the results of investigation in the group of patients, who suffer from various eye diseases.They compare the various subjective and objective symptoms, that should either correlate to electrophysiological exam, or not.The authors ask in their subject, if the diagnostics of eye disease could be better and sooner using the electrophysiological tests, while they are able to test the visual pathway.Material and methodsFive members of the same family were examined in electrophysiological laboratory. They had passed the examination, both standard methods, such as full field ERG, PVEP and FVEP and special multifocal ERG. The basic investigation, such as visual acuity, panfundoscopy, fluorescein angiography was done previously.One member of the family had noted some subjective disorders, such as low vision, visual field defects, colour vision disorders. Others were relatively asymptomatic.The results were summarised.ResultsIn all members, completely, were detected various forms of ocular pathology, from retinal and optic nerve damage to the brain disorder, though they were relatively asymptomatic. The first symptoms of hereditary disease were present.In patients we have detected some forms of ocular pathology, from peripheral retinal degeneration, macular degeneration, choroidal pathology to the optic neuropathy.In some probands hereditary dystrophies were validated.The explicit concordance between subjective and objective symptoms and ERG results is not a rule.ConclusionWe are sure, that electrophysiological investigation methods could represent the base of exact diagnostics. When we should find the subject, that suffers from hereditary eye disease, the active seeking in complete family is very important and necesary. In many cases and forms of ocular pathology, some causal treatment, such as intravitreal therapy, does exist