SUMMARY
Purpose:
To study the symmetry of clinical manifestations, as well as the correlation between psychophysical and electrophysiological findings in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
Methods:
58 (32 male and 26 female) RP patients (mean age = 34.4 ± 16.8 years), 32 men and 26 women, were tested. Visual acuity (VA), Goldmann visual field (VF), electroretinogram (ERG) and electro-oculogram (EOG) were performed. Student's test for dependent samples and Pearson's correlation were performed.
Results:
Mean VA was LogMAR = 0.35 (Snellen equivalent 20/45) for right eye (OD) and LogMAR = 0.37 (Snellen equivalent 20/47) for left eye (OS). Mean VF was 20° for both eyes (OU). Inter-ocular correlation (Pearson's "r" coefficient) was 0.722 (VA; p < O. 05) and 0.967 (VF; p < 0.05). 21 patients had a recordable ERG; the mean amplitude was not significantly different (p > 0.05) between eyes, for any of the ERG components. The mean VF was significantly better in RP patients with a recordable ERG than in the nonrecordable group (approximately 35° and 15°, respectively; p < 0. 05). 16 patients had a recordable EOG (mean ARDEN ratio: 1.41 ± 0.42, OD and 1.57 ± 0.58, OS; p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
A high interocular symmetry of clinical manifestations, as well as a significant correlation between VF and ERG were observed in our RP patients.
Key-words:
Retinitis pigmentosa; Bilaterality; Symmetry; Electroretinogram (ERG); Electro-oculogram (EOG