Focal ERG Changes During Experimental Retinal Detachment and Spontaneous Reattachment in the Rabbit

ABSTRACT

The present study evaluated alterations in the focal electroretinogram (FERG) in cases of retinal detachment and spontaneous reattachment in 11 ablino rabbits. FERGs were obtained under direct visualization of the fundus by an infrared television fundus camera with a light stimulator. The pre-operative b-wave amplitude al1c. implicit time were 0.52 +/- 0.07 micro V and 59.7 +/- 4.1msec (mean +/- S.D.), respectively. Thirty minutes after making the retinal detachment, the amplitude decreased significantly to 0.08 +/- 0.09 micro V (ptime increased significantly to 66.6 +/- 4.lmsec(p<0.0l). The next day, we identified spontaneous reattachment of the retina. Seven days after the operation, the amplitude increased to the pre-operative value (0.54 +/- 0.07 micro V). However, the implicit time did not recover completely and was significantly delayed as compared with the preoperative value even 28 days after the operation (65.4 +/- 3.4msec, pabnormalities persist for a considerable period of time in the reattached retina of the rabbit eye, even following a short-term retinal detachment.