Pattern electroretinogram and visual evoked cortical potential in ethambutol optic neuropathy

Forty-one eyes in 21 cases of ethambutol optic neuropathy were investigated for the pattern visual evoked cortical potential (VECP) and the pattern electroretinogram (ERG). In 21 of the eyes the disappearance VECP responses were not detectable. In the other 20 eyes the peak latency and amplitude of the disappearance VECP were delayed and decreased significantly compared with normal eyes. The recovery of the peak latency of the disappearance VECP in ethambutol optic neuropathy was faster than that of the amplitude. Twelve eyes in six patients were studied by pattern reversal ERG. Though the mean peak latency of the pattern ERG was within normal limits, the mean amplitude was decreased significantly. Our investigations indicated that ethambutol optic neuropathy disturbed not only the optic nerve but also the retina.