ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Up to date the pathogenetic aspects of exfoliation syndrome which are not well agreed upon even though the vascular damage plays a major role. METHODS: In order to evaluate the electrophysiological changes occurring in patients affected by exfoliation syndrome a case-control study with pattern electrofunctional examinations and oscillatory potentials from standard flash-ERG in 80 eyes affected by exfoliation syndrome with or without ocular hypertension was undertaken. RESULTS: Some statistically significant PERG, P-PEV and OP abnormalities were found in eyes affected by exfoliation syndrome with or without ocular hypertension (p < 0.001). There is no statistically significant difference between affected and control eyes in monolateral syndrome (p > 0.05). The electrofunctional examination did not mark any statistically significant difference between eyes with and without ocular hypertension (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results stressed by pattern and oscillatory potentials examinations may support the hypothesis of a primitive change of the optic nerve.
