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Full-field electroretinogram findings in children in the atropine treatment for myopia (ATOM2) study
Audrey Chia1, Wen Li, Donald Tan
1Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore. wla_chia@yahoo.com
Insights
Myopic children show reduced retinal sensitivity. Cone function gradually declines over time, unaffected by atropine treatment for myopia.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Physiology
- Pediatric Optometry
Background:
- Myopia is a growing concern in children.
- Understanding its longitudinal effects on retinal function is crucial.
- Investigating potential interventions like atropine treatment is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term impact of myopia on full-field electroretinogram (ffERG) in children.
- To determine if atropine treatment influences these ffERG changes.
Main Methods:
- 35 children undergoing myopia treatment had ffERG recorded at baseline, 24 months, and 32 months.
- Analyzed correlations between axial length and scotopic/photopic ffERG responses (a-wave, b-wave, V max, logK).
- Utilized an extended ISCEV ffERG protocol for comprehensive retinal function assessment.
Main Results:
- Reduced retinal sensitivity (logK) correlated with axial length at baseline.
- Photopic a- and b-wave amplitudes, and 30 Hz flicker response amplitudes, declined longitudinally.
- Axial length changes were associated with 30 Hz flicker amplitude decline, independent of age or atropine dose.
Conclusions:
- Myopic children exhibit diminished retinal sensitivity.
- A progressive decline in cone function occurs over time in myopia.
- Atropine treatment did not appear to modify these functional changes.
Background:
The aims of this study were to determine the longitudinal effects of myopia on full-field electroretinogram (ffERG) in children, and whether there were any effects due to atropine treatment.
Methods:
Fifty children, enrolled in the atropine treatment for myopia study, were randomly selected and 35 children consented to undergo ffERG at baseline (prior to atropine treatment), 24 months (at end of treatment) and 32 months (8 months after cessation of treatment). An extended ISCEV ffERG protocol was used for all recordings. The relationship between axial length (AL) and the following scotopic and photopic ffERG responses was analyzed: a- and b-wave amplitude and implicit time, saturated amplitude (V max), and retinal sensitivity (logK).
Results:
Reliable ffERG recordings with acceptable level of noise were obtained on all 3 visits from 29 children (mean age: 9.5 ± 0.8 years and mean spherical equivalent: -5.0 ± 1.6 D). At baseline, the correlation detected between AL and logK was 0.37 (p = 0.047). There was no significant correlation between AL and V max or any scotopic and photopic ffERG amplitude and implicit time measures. Longitudinal data suggested a reduction in photopic a- and b-wave and 30 Hz flicker response amplitudes over time. Multivariate analysis showed that the change in 30 Hz flicker response amplitude was likely to be associated with AL change. There was no evidence that changes in other responses were associated with age, baseline AL, or atropine dose used.
Conclusion:
Retinal sensitivity was reduced in myopic children. There was a gradual decline in cone function over time which was not influenced by atropine treatment.
