Vol 57, No 2 (2006)
Original paper
Published online: 2006-05-26
Pattern visual evoked potentials in the early diagnosis of optic neuropathy in the course of Graves’ ophthalmopathy
Endokrynol Pol 2006;57(2):122-126.
Abstract
The aim of the study: to investigate by means of pattern
visual evoked potentials (PVEPs) early neuropathic changes
in Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) patients without any
clinical symptoms of optic neuropathy in order to evaluate
the prevalence of subclinical optic neuropathy in GO patients
and to elucidate whether there is a relationship between
PVEP (P100 and N75 latency), intraocular pressure
(IOP) and exophthalmometry.
Material and methods. Two groups of patients were examined: 15 patients with GO without clinical signs of dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) and 12 healthy controls. The correlations between the N75 and P100 latencies, IOP and Hertel exophthalmometry were investigated.
Results. The mean PVEP N75 and P100 latencies were significantly delayed in the GO uncomplicated with DON in comparison with controls (LP100- 106.2 ± 4.4 ms vs. 102.4 ± 2.7 ms, p < 0.01 and LN75- 79.0 ± 3.7 ms vs. 73.9 ± 2.8 ms, p < 0.001). In GO patients we documented a positive correlation between the LN75 latency and exophthalmometric readings (R = 0.51; p < 0.01). The value of LP100 and LN75 was above the normal limit in 5/30 eyes (17%) and in 3/30 eyes (10%) respectively.
Conclusions: The assessment of PVEPs (especially the P100 latency) in GO patients without clinical signs of DON is a useful tool for the early diagnosis of optic nerve involvement.
Material and methods. Two groups of patients were examined: 15 patients with GO without clinical signs of dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) and 12 healthy controls. The correlations between the N75 and P100 latencies, IOP and Hertel exophthalmometry were investigated.
Results. The mean PVEP N75 and P100 latencies were significantly delayed in the GO uncomplicated with DON in comparison with controls (LP100- 106.2 ± 4.4 ms vs. 102.4 ± 2.7 ms, p < 0.01 and LN75- 79.0 ± 3.7 ms vs. 73.9 ± 2.8 ms, p < 0.001). In GO patients we documented a positive correlation between the LN75 latency and exophthalmometric readings (R = 0.51; p < 0.01). The value of LP100 and LN75 was above the normal limit in 5/30 eyes (17%) and in 3/30 eyes (10%) respectively.
Conclusions: The assessment of PVEPs (especially the P100 latency) in GO patients without clinical signs of DON is a useful tool for the early diagnosis of optic nerve involvement.
Keywords: subclinical optic neuropathyGraves’ ophthalmopathypattern visual evoked potentials
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