ABSTRACT
The detection of hidden visual loss is important in establishing the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, especially in patients who have neurologic symptoms of the disease. Both visual evoked potentials and contrast sensitivity have been used for this purpose. We compared the sensitivities of pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials and contrast sensitivity, measured with the Vistech VCTS 6500 chart, in detecting hidden visual loss in 18 patients with multiple sclerosis whose visual acuity was correctable to 20/20 (6/6) or better in the examined eye. Thirteen patients had delayed visual evoked potential latencies. An additional four patients had reduced P100 amplitudes without prolonged latencies. Nine patients had abnormal contrast sensitivity. The visual evoked potential was more sensitive than contrast sensitivity at detecting hidden visual loss in patients with multiple sclerosis (p less than 0.01).
Subject(s)
Contrast Sensitivity , Evoked Potentials, Visual , Multiple Sclerosis/physiopathology , Vision Disorders/physiopathology , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pattern Recognition, Visual , Sensitivity and Specificity , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
Tamoxifen is one of the most effective anti-estrogens for breast carcinoma therapy and has been used since 1971. Side effects are not frequent, but some ophthalmologic complications have already been described such as retinopathy, keratopathy and optic neuritis. The authors report a case of retinopathy occurring after a period of 7 years (205 g total doses). They give a review of the literature, with the ophthalmological and functional aspects of the retinopathy.
Subject(s)
Retinal Diseases/chemically induced , Tamoxifen/adverse effects , Adult , Aged , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Female , Humans , Macula Lutea/drug effects , Middle Aged , Tamoxifen/therapeutic use , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The sensitivity of the VISTECH chart in the detection of hidden visual loss is debated. We tried to evaluate the diagnostic value of the test by using different illumination levels. Twelve MS-patients with normal acuity but a pathological VEP were examined at 9 different illuminations. We did not identify more abnormalities among patients, using VISTECH test at other illumination levels than the one recommended by the manufacturer.
