Flash Electroretinography and Pattern Visual Evoked Potential Changes in Ocular Hypertension Patients

Purpose. To evaluate the changes of flash electroretinography (fERG) and pattern visual evoked potentials (pVEP) in ocular hypertension (OHT) patients. Methods. Twenty-five OHT patients and 30 healthy volunteers were enrolled for this cross-sectional study. Opthalmologic examinations, visual field tests, pVEP and fERG were performed. The main outcome measures were the differences between pVEP and fERG parameters. Results. The mean age of OHT patients and volunteers were 57 ± 12.25 years (range 30-65 years), and 53.25 ± 12.0 years (range 30-65 years), respectively. The mean amplitude of the pVEP was statistically lower in the OHT group (P < 0.05). Latency of the two groups was different; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In fERG of OHT group, there was a significant decrease in the amplitude of the oscillatory potentials (Ops), and a significant delay in latency of rod and cone waves (all P < 0.05). There was no significant change in the flicker fERG waves between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions. Although we found a decrease in Ops amplitude and a prolonged latency in flicker fERG, only the decrease in Ops amplitude was statistically significant between the two groups. The amplitude of Ops wave and amplitude of pVEP may reflect early glaucomatous damage in OHT patients.