ELECTRORETINOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN FUCHS HETEROCHROMIC CYCLITIS

Purpose: Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis (FHC) is an inflammatory diseas e of unknown aetiology, Although anterior segment signs and vitreous c hanges are well recognised, retinal features are unusual, To assess th e extent of retinal involvement, we performed electrophysiological tes ting in a group of FHC patients.Methods: Retinal function was assessed by means of Bash electroretinogram (ERG) using a Ganzfeld stimulus, a nd pattern electroretinogram (PERG) using a checkerboard stimulus of s patial frequency 0.5 and 1.0 cycle per degree reversing at 6 Hz. A tot al of 21 patients with unilateral, normotensive FHC with visual acuiti es of 6/5 to 6/9 were studied. Results: In the flash ERG, selective sc otopic b-wave abnormalities occurred in 9 (43%) of 21 FHC eyes, Despit e clear media and no history of ocular surgery, 7 patients showed abno rmalities of the PERG. Conclusions: These electrophysiological finding s suggest subclinical damage to the inner retinal layers, but not invo lving the photoreceptors, in eyes,vith FHC.