Abstract
Purpose. To understand whether laser photocoagulation of the retina for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) alters directly or indirectly the function of the macular region. Methods. Transient pattern electroretinograms (PERGs) to 30' checks have been recorded in DR patients before and 7-10 days after one treatment session (established protocol with Argon laser) of either the peripheral retina (panretinal treatment) or the centrad retina (paramacular focal treatment). Results. Treatment of the peripheral retina causes, in most eyes, a small increase (about 15% on average) of the PERG amplitude. Focal paramacular treatment causes a marked decrement (about 40% on average) of the PERG amplitude. Simulated retinal amputation induced by focal treatment, obtained by means of adequate stimulus masking, resulted in a 15-20% PERG decrement only. Conclusions. The PERG increase after peripheral treatment may be due to rearrangement of both retinal and choroideal hemodynamics and does not necessarily result in useful long term changes. The PERG decrease after focal, paramacular treatment is far larger than that expected on the basis of the amputated area only. This may result from thermal and/or toxic damaging effects spreading outside the treated area. The results are relevant for both a better monitoring of central retinal function in the course of laser treatment and a better evaluation of the cost/benefit ratio after photocoagulation in DR.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 111-115 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Current Eye Research |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 17 1997 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Human
- Laser photocoagulation
- Pattern electroretinogram (PERG)
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
- Sensory Systems
Cite this
The pattern electroretinogram (PERG) after laser treatment of the peripheral or central retina. / Ciavarella, Pio; Moretti, Giuseppe; Falsini, Benedetto; Porciatti, Vittorio.
In: Current Eye Research, Vol. 16, No. 2, 17.03.1997, p. 111-115.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The pattern electroretinogram (PERG) after laser treatment of the peripheral or central retina
AU - Ciavarella, Pio
AU - Moretti, Giuseppe
AU - Falsini, Benedetto
AU - Porciatti, Vittorio
PY - 1997/3/17
Y1 - 1997/3/17
N2 - Purpose. To understand whether laser photocoagulation of the retina for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) alters directly or indirectly the function of the macular region. Methods. Transient pattern electroretinograms (PERGs) to 30' checks have been recorded in DR patients before and 7-10 days after one treatment session (established protocol with Argon laser) of either the peripheral retina (panretinal treatment) or the centrad retina (paramacular focal treatment). Results. Treatment of the peripheral retina causes, in most eyes, a small increase (about 15% on average) of the PERG amplitude. Focal paramacular treatment causes a marked decrement (about 40% on average) of the PERG amplitude. Simulated retinal amputation induced by focal treatment, obtained by means of adequate stimulus masking, resulted in a 15-20% PERG decrement only. Conclusions. The PERG increase after peripheral treatment may be due to rearrangement of both retinal and choroideal hemodynamics and does not necessarily result in useful long term changes. The PERG decrease after focal, paramacular treatment is far larger than that expected on the basis of the amputated area only. This may result from thermal and/or toxic damaging effects spreading outside the treated area. The results are relevant for both a better monitoring of central retinal function in the course of laser treatment and a better evaluation of the cost/benefit ratio after photocoagulation in DR.
AB - Purpose. To understand whether laser photocoagulation of the retina for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) alters directly or indirectly the function of the macular region. Methods. Transient pattern electroretinograms (PERGs) to 30' checks have been recorded in DR patients before and 7-10 days after one treatment session (established protocol with Argon laser) of either the peripheral retina (panretinal treatment) or the centrad retina (paramacular focal treatment). Results. Treatment of the peripheral retina causes, in most eyes, a small increase (about 15% on average) of the PERG amplitude. Focal paramacular treatment causes a marked decrement (about 40% on average) of the PERG amplitude. Simulated retinal amputation induced by focal treatment, obtained by means of adequate stimulus masking, resulted in a 15-20% PERG decrement only. Conclusions. The PERG increase after peripheral treatment may be due to rearrangement of both retinal and choroideal hemodynamics and does not necessarily result in useful long term changes. The PERG decrease after focal, paramacular treatment is far larger than that expected on the basis of the amputated area only. This may result from thermal and/or toxic damaging effects spreading outside the treated area. The results are relevant for both a better monitoring of central retinal function in the course of laser treatment and a better evaluation of the cost/benefit ratio after photocoagulation in DR.
KW - Diabetic retinopathy
KW - Human
KW - Laser photocoagulation
KW - Pattern electroretinogram (PERG)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0031057176&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0031057176&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1076/ceyr.16.2.111.5094
DO - 10.1076/ceyr.16.2.111.5094
M3 - Article
C2 - 9068941
AN - SCOPUS:0031057176
VL - 16
SP - 111
EP - 115
JO - Current Eye Research
JF - Current Eye Research
SN - 0271-3683
IS - 2
ER -