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Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:976-982 doi:10.1136/bjo.2004.065656
  • Clinical science
    • Scientific reports

Multifocal ERG in ethambutol associated visual loss

  1. R S Behbehani1,
  2. E L Affel2,
  3. R C Sergott1,
  4. P J Savino1
  1. 1Neuroophthalmology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  2. 2Visual Physiology Department, Wills Eye Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  1. Correspondence to: Raed Behbehani MD, Neuro-ophthalmology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, 840 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; r_behbehanihotmail.com
  • Accepted 1 February 2005

Abstract

Aim: To determine the anatomical site and extent of electrophysiological dysfunction in patients with ethambutol associated visual loss.

Methods: A comparative case series. Four patients with ethambutol associated visual loss underwent multifocal electroretinography (mERG). Two patients had advanced visual loss while two had early signs of toxicity. The N1-P1, N1, P1 amplitudes, N1, and P1 latencies were compared to 10 age and sex matched controls.

Results: mERG abnormalities were detected in the ethambutol treated patients. The N1 amplitude was significantly lower in the ethambutol treated patients than in the control group.

Conclusion: Ethambutol is possibly toxic to the retina, and not only the optic nerve. The multifocal ERG may be of value to diagnose and monitor patients taking ethambutol.

Footnotes

  • The authors have no proprietary interest in any of the instruments used or any other aspect of this study.

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