PATTERN ERG CHANGES IN SUSPECTED GLAUCOMA

Pattern ERG (P-ERG) changes were studied in patients with suspected gl aucoma. P-ERG was recorded in 48 eyes with good visual acuity, normal visual fields and elevated intraocular pressure ranging between 18 and 26 mm Hg. The amplitude of the P-1 wave was within normal limits and ranged between 1.0 and 1.9 mu V in 46 eyes (95.8%). In contrast, the a mplitude of the N-2 wave in 32 eyes (66.6%) was subnormal, ranging bet ween 0.2 and 0.8 mu V. The implicit time of the P-1 and N-2 waves was normal, ranging from 60.1 to 69.4 and from 95.1 to 103.8 ms, respectiv ely. In conclusion, the N-2 wave changes of the P-ERG may predict thos e hypertonic eyes which will eventually develop glaucoma and need earl y antiglaucoma therapy. On the contrary, in ocular hypertensives with normal N-2 wave the development of glaucoma is less likely.