[Effect of cataracts on contrast pattern reversal stimuli exemplified by the pattern electroretinogram]

A cataract changes pattern-evoked contrast responses to a mostly unknown extent by a blurred retinal image. Pattern electroretinograms (P-ERG), evoked by a reversing checkerboard pattern, were measured (a) in 12 healthy volunteers with a cataract simulated by Bangerter foils; (b) pre- and postoperatively in 44 cataract eyes without retinal damage; and (c) in 13 healthy contralateral eyes. Slight media opacities (visual acuity 1.0 to 0.8) already diminished the amplitudes of the pattern ERG significantly, whereas the latencies did not react significantly. This can be explained by a decrease more in contrast than in luminance. Postoperatively, the amplitudes continued to increase during the first 10 weeks, when the visual acuity remained stable. The postoperative amplitudes did not reach the amplitudes of comparable healthy contralateral eyes. It is recommended that eyes be checked for cataracts before an interpretation is made.