EFFECTS OF PHOTOTHERAPY WINTER SEASONAL AFFECTIVE-DISORDER ON ELECTROOCULOGRAPHIC RATIO IN WINTER SEASONAL AFFECTIVE-DISORDER

Low electrooculographic (EGG) ratios have been reported in patients wi th seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This study was-undertaken to rep licate these results and to consider the effects of light therapy on t he EOG in SAD patients. Sixteen outpatients with SAD and 16 age-, sex- , and medication-matched control subjects had EOG testing before and a fter 1 week of light therapy during the winter. The EOG ratios in the SAD patients were only marginally lower than those in the normal contr ol subjects. These differences persisted after light therapy. Although the slightly decreased EOG ratios in SAD patients might have resulted from an artifact of test variability, drowsiness, or other confoundin g factors, the difference between patients and control subjects raises the possibility of retinal abnormality in SAD.