Abstract
Forty-one eyes in 21 cases of ethambutol optic neuropathy were investigated for the pattern visual evoked cortical potential (VECP) and the pattern electroretinogram (ERG).
In 21 of the eyes the disappearance VECP responses were not detectable. In the other 20 eyes the peak latency and amplitude of the disappearance VECP were delayed and decreased significantly compared with normal eyes. The recovery of the peak latency of the disappearance VECP in ethambutol optic neuropathy was faster than that of the amplitude.
Twelve eyes in six patients were studied by pattern reversal ERG. Though the mean peak latency of the pattern ERG was within normal limits, the mean amplitude was decreased significantly.
Our investigations indicated that ethambutol optic neuropathy disturbed not only the optic nerve but also the retina.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adachi-Usami E, Kellermann FJ, Makabe R. Visuell evozierte Antworten bei Patienten mit Ethambutol-Schäden. Ber Dtsch Ophthalmol Ges. 1974; 72: 181–185.
Adachi-Usami E, Kuroda N, Nakajima N. Distribution of pattern-evoked potentials in the facial area. Am J Opthalmol 1983; 96: 734–739.
Arden GB, Carter RM, Hogg CR, Powell DJ, Vaegan. Reduced pattern electroretinograms suggest a preganglionic basis for nontreatable human amblyopia. J Physiol 1980; 308: 82P-83P.
Babel J, Stangos N, Korol S, Spiritus M. Ocular electrophysiology. Stuttgart: Georg. Thieme Publishers, 1977; 107–109.
Carr RE, Henkind P. Ocular manifestations of ethambutol. Arch Ophthalmol 1962; 67: 566–571.
Edström A, Mattsson H. Small amounts of zinc stimulate rapid axonal transport in vitro. Brain Res 1975; 86: 162–167.
Kakisu Y, Mizota A, Adachi E. Clinical application of the pattern electroretinogram with lid skin electrode. Doc Ophthalmol 1986; 63: 187–194.
Lessel S. Histopathology of experimental ethambutol intoxication. Invest Ophthalmol 1976; 15: 765–769.
Place VA, Black H. New antituberculous agents: laboratory and clinical studies. Ann NY Acad Sci 1966; 135: 681–909.
Schmidt IG, Schmidt LH. Studies on the neurotoxicity of ethambutol and its racemate for the rhesus monkey. J Neuropath Exp Neurol 1966; 25: 40–67.
Saraux H, Béchetoille A, Nou B, Courtois B. La baisse du taux du zinc sérique dans certains nérvites optiques toxiques. Ann d'Oculist (Paris) 1975; 208: 29–31.
Toyonaga N, Kakisu Y, Adachi E. Pattern disappearance visually evoked cortical potentials in the diseases of visual pathway. Doc Ophthalmol 1986; 63: 23–29.
Van Dijk BW, Spekreijse H. Ethambutol changes the color coding of carp retinal ganglion cells reversibly. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1983; 24: 128–133.
Van Lith GHM. Electro-Ophthalmology and side-effects of drugs. Doc Ophthalmol 1977; 44: 19–21.
Wakata N, Satoyoshi E. Experimental studies on the neurotoxicity of ethambutol and chloramphenical: Pathlogical and macroautoradiographic studies. Clin Neurol 1975; 15: 592–601.
Yiannikas C, Walsh JC, Mcleod JG. Visual evoked potentials in the detection of subclinical optic toxic effects secondary to ethambutol. Arch Neurol 1983; 40: 645–648.
Yolton DP. Nutritional effects of zinc on ocular and systemic physiology. J Am Optom Assoc 1981; 52: 409–414.
Zrenner E, Krüger CJ. Ethambutol mainly affects the function of red/green opponent neurons. In: Doc Ophthalmol Proc Series 1981; 27: 13–25.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kakisu, Y., Adachi-Usami, E. & Mizota, A. Pattern electroretinogram and visual evoked cortical potential in ethambutol optic neuropathy. Doc Ophthalmol 67, 327–334 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00143950
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00143950