PATTERN ELECTRORETINOGRAM AND COMPUTERIZED OPTIC-NERVE HEAD ANALYSIS IN OCULAR HYPERTENSION - INTERIM RESULTS AFTER 2.5 YEARS

Evidence exists that both the pattern electroretinogram (PERG) as a pa rameter of ganglion-cell function and computerized morphometric disc a nalysis (ONHA) predict subsequent glaucomatous visual field defects in ocular hypertensive eyes. Since November 1991 we have conducted a pro spective longitudinal study to evaluate the suitability of PERG and ON HA for detecting incipient glaucoma damage. Inclusion criteria were: a n intraocular pressure of greater than or equal to 25 mmHg (at least t wo measurements taken on different days) or, in eyes with additional r isk factors, greater than or equal to 23 mmHg; a normal Octopus visual field (mean defect less than or equal to 2 dB, no local defect); and no definite glaucomatous disc cupping. After a mean follow-up period o f 14.6+/-8.8 (range 1-33) months and with a mean intraocular pressure of 24.4 (range 18-42) mmHg, none of the 66 patients (115 eyes) convert ed to glaucoma. Furthermore, PERG and ONHA do not agree in their estim ation of the glaucoma risk at this stage.