PATTERN-REVERSAL ELECTRORETINOGRAMS AND VISUAL-EVOKED POTENTIALS IN BRANCH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

We recorded pattern electroretinograms and visual evoked potentials in a group of selected patients with unilateral uncomplicated branch ret inal vein occlusion. To document the effects of preexisting risk facto rs, patients were divided into three groups: diabetes mellitus, hypert ension with hyperlipidemia and no systemic disease. The transient and steady-state pattern electroretinogram and visual evoked potential amp litudes were significantly reduced and visual evoked potential peak ti mes were delayed relative to the fellow eyes and age-matched normal su bjects. There was a second amplitude reduction relative to the other p atient groups in both the affected and fellow eyes of the diabetes mel litus group, which was indicative of an additive effect of diabetes me llitus.