Electroretinographic Changes in Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Abnormal Visual Evoked Potentials

Abstract

Purpose: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of nervous system which is accompanied by degeneration of visual pathway in certain cases. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP) are among the diagnostic techniques in detecting this disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible electroretinography (ERG) changes among these patients. Patients and Methods: Thirty eyes of the patients with definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and delay in latency of visual evoked potential P 100 peak entered the present prospective case control study as the case group. Latency and amplitude of ERG b-wave peak were measured in each eye. The result was compared with normal eyes thirty from age and sex marched individuals to evaluate the possible differences between the two groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference regarding the demographic data (age, UCVA) between the case and control groups. The b-wave latency did show a statistically significant difference between patients with MS and normal controls (P < 0.001). The ERG b-wave amplitude did not show statistically significant difference between patients with MS and the control group. Conclusion: From the result of the present study it seems that the latency of b-wave in flash ERG might be used as an indicator to evaluate the retinal dysfunction in MS patients with abnormal VEP pattern. Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; retinal changes; flash electroretinography