[Pattern visual evoked potential and electroretinogram in idiopathic senile macular hole]

Of 12 patients (15 eyes) with idiopathic senile full-thickness macular hole, 3 were bilateral and 9 monocular. Flash ERG and pattern VEP were performed in all eyes of the patients. The abnormal rate of pattern VEP was 93%, manifested by prolonged latency, reduced amplitude and wave deformity of P100; and the abnormal rate of flash ERG was 53%, characterized by reduced amplitude of the b-waves. The difference between the 2 rates was statistically significant. The halo diameter of the macular hole was positively correlated with the latency of P100, which was not related with the hole diameter. In the 9 fellow eyes without macular holes, 3 showed abnormal pattern VEP, of which 1 eye manifested a macular cyst. The results indicated that the pattern VEP provided more information of macular function than did the flash ERG, and follow-up of the fellow eye with this test was useful.