Multifocal ERG and OCT in unexplained visual loss

Abstract

Purpose To determine the value of multifocal ERG (mfERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the evaluation of patients with unexplained visual loss. Methods mfERG and macular OCT were obtained from six patients with unexplained visual loss (normal ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography, full‐field ERG and brain CT scan) and four age and sex matched controls. Results Patients BCVA ranged from 20/32 to 20/125. When comparing to controls, patients showed significantly depressed mfERG amplitudes in rings R1 (121.7 vs 64.8; p 0.01) and R2 (42.6 vs 19.5; p 0.02). Foveal thickness, as measured by macular OCT, was also reduced, although not significantly (p 0.1). Conclusion Multifocal ERG allowed localization of the visual dysfunction to the central macula, in cases with hitherto unexplained visual loss.