[Fundamental ophthalmology: the role of electrophysiological studies]

Studying of functional aspects of eye disease pathogenesis by electrophysiological methods is widely demanded in fundamental ophthalmology. Introduction of modern methods of functional assessment into experimental and clinical projects significantly broadens knowledge of normal and pathological functioning of the visual system and is the basis for further development of new strategies of pathogenetic treatment, diagnostics and expert evaluation. Some problems of ophthalmology, including those that concern age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and other diseases, are considered in the context of how much electrophysiology contributes to their solution. The role of functional examinations of the retina in studying pathophysiology of neurodegenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, is also discussed.