Time course of electroretinographic recovery following argon laser photocoagulation in cats

We wished to study in detail the time course of changes in the electroretinogram (ERG) that occur following lesioning of the cat retina by photocoagulation. The superior-temporal quadrant of one eye of 15 adult cats was photocoagulated by argon laser. The ERG was recorded at baseline and followed for up to 13 weeks postlaser. The retina was also observed ophthalmoscopically. Immediately after photocoagulation, the b-wave amplitude was markedly reduced. This was followed by a gradual recovery over the next 10 weeks. The ophthalmoscopic appearance of the lesions, however, appeared unchanged after 1 week. The ERG, which is reduced in amplitude immediately after retinal photocoagulation, shows recovery with time.