RETINAL FUNCTION ABNORMALITIES IN MEMBRANOPROLIFERATIVE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS TYPE-II

PURPOSE: To characterize retinal electrophysiologic and psychophysical abnormalities associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephriti s type II. METHODS: Three adults with membranoproliferative glomerulon ephritis type II were studied. Retinal function was measured psychophy sically (automated perimetry, Farnsworth D-15 color vision testing, an d dark adaptometry) and electrophysiologically (full-field flash elect roretinography and electro oculography). RESULTS: Two symptomatic indi viduals had prominent drusenlike deposits and retinal pigment epitheli al disturbances, findings characteristic of membranoproliferative glom erulonephritis type II retinopathy, These individuals had mild visual field and color vision abnormalities, prolonged dark adaptation, and d elayed electroretinographic dark-adapted dim and bright flash response s of normal amplitude. The electro-oculogram of the most severely affe cted individual was abnormal, The third individual who was asymptomati c had the mildest fundus abnormalities and exhibited normal psychophys ical and electrophysiologic responses. CONCLUSIONS: Membranoproliferat ive glomerulonephritis type II retinopathy may be associated with symp tomatic and measurable psychophysical and electrophysiologic abnormali ties of retinal function.