Electroretinograms in Cataract Patients: Changes in Electroretinographic Responses According to the Cataract Type and Severity

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes of electroretinographic responses according to the lens opacity type and severity in cataract patients with normal retina. METHODS: Retrospective study was performed on 79 eyes of 79 patients who had undergone electroretinograms (ERG) before cataract surgery. The patients with high myopia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension or glaucoma were excluded. Cataracts were classified using Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III). Whether the ERG results are different according to the location and severity of lens opacity was analyzed. RESULTS: Marked reduction in amplitude and delay in implicit time were observed in mature cataracts. Amplitudes of a- and b-wave were reduced significantly, especially a-wave in maximal combined response and b-wave in rod response (P<0.01). Among the 4 groups, excluding the mature opacity, amplitude was reduced in posterior subcapsular opacity. Implicit times were also delayed, but not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Lens opacity, especially posterior subcapsular opacity affects the ERG results significantly. These findings should be considered in evaluating the retinal abnormalities in patients with cataract.