Purpose To seek out correlations between preoperative electro-oculogram (EOG) recordings with different types of uveal melanomas, after surgery. Methods We analysed the EOG recordings of 120 patients with uveal melanomas, histologically verified, 100 in the choroid and 20 in the iris and ciliary body. The EOG data were correlated with the site, size and histological type of the tumor. Results In 100 eyes with choroidal melanoma the Arden Index (AI) was less than in fellow eyes (mean 126.6, SD ± 23.8 and 202.9, SD ± 47.0; p=0.01). The EOG values were not different with respect to the histological type, site and size of tumor. In cases with iris and ciliary body melanomas the AI were not significantly different from the fellow eyes (mean 180.6, SD ± 23.6 and 203.2, SD ± 38.7; p=0.07). Conclusions Since the EOG is abnormal in eyes with choroidal melanoma, it can be considered a powerful auxiliary for diagnosing these tumors.

We studied a sample of young subjects affected by Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) with the aim to identify peculiar hallmarks useful for early diagnosis during developmental age. Methods: 12 children, aged between 3 and 19 years, underwent complete ophthalmological and orthoptic examination, VEP and ERG. ERG was exstinguished or notably reduced in all subjects (recognized as the earlier predictant factor). Fundus oculi was characterized by absence of pigmentary changes of the retina, by narrowing of retinal vessels and by a cereous aspect of the optic nerve in 91% of cases. Absence of macular reflexes and chellophan maculopathy were present in one subject. Visual acuity was only mildly reduced in younger subjects. Retinal involvement occurs very early in childhood. Severe ERG abnormalities are present while retinal changes are minimal. A primitive involvement of the optic nerve and of the macula was also noted. ERG was the earlier predictant of tapetoretinal degeneration in the BBS and allows a differential diagnosis with similar forms, without retinopathy, such as Prader-Willy syndrome and Biemond II syndrome.

Unilateral retinitis pigmentosa (URP) is a rare tapetoretinal dystrophy affecting only one eye. The François and Verriest criteria are necessary to make a correct diagnosis of URP: exclude all infective etiologies, check that the clinical signs of retinitis are present in the affected eye and ensure the total absence of any signs or symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa in the fellow eye. The standard electroretinogram and standard electro-oculogram are very useful for the correct diagnosis. Other pigmentary retinopathies simulating retinitis pigmentosa have to be excluded, such as previous retinal inflammatory diseases like syphilis, rubeola, other viral diseases and onchocerciasis. In this paper, 4 cases of URP are reported.

Albinism represents the most frequent cause of nystagmus induced by visual sensory disorders. We studied five patients aged between three and five years with ocular albinism with the aim of identifying the characteristics of nystagmic oscillations. The patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination and electronystagmography (ENG). ENG revealed either pendular or jerk waveforms (or both) with the same complex effects of fixation seen in those with idiopathic congenital nystagmus. Three children presented face turn due to reduced severity of nystagmus in lateroversion. Latent nystagmus was not observed.

Described is a case of bilateral homonymous hemianopsia with macular sparing, resulting from head trauma. The case presented lesions of the occipital visual areas which involved entirely the left hemisphere and only partially the right hemisphere. VEP were obtainable only from electrodes placed on the right hemisphere with both right eye and left eye stimulation. VEP mapping showed that each eye projects macular fibres towards functional areas of the right occipital hemisphere. Electrophysiological examination confirmed objectively and for the first time in man the theory of "double cortical macular representation". Clinical implications of this finding are discussed.

PURPOSE:To assess by electrophysiologic testing the effect of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) on the retina and optic nerve.SETTING:Eye Clinic, S. Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila University, Italy.METHODS:Standard pattern electroretinograms (P-ERGs) and standard pattern visual evoked potentials (P-VEPs) were done in 25 eyes of 25 patients who had myopic PRK for an attempted correction between 5.00 and 15.00 diopters (D) (mean 8.00 D). Testing was done preoperatively and 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. The contralateral eyes served as controls. During the follow-up, 3 patients (12%) developed steroid-induced elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) that resolved after corticosteroid therapy was discontinued.RESULTS:No statistically significant differences were seen between treated and control eyes nor between treated eyes preoperatively and postoperatively.CONCLUSION:Myopic excimer laser PRK did not seem to affect the posterior segment. The transient steroid-induced IOP rise did not seem to cause functional impairment.

The Authors present an original method for ocular movement recording in patients with congenital nystagmus of surgical interest. Null zone, latent nystagmus, effect of convergence, divergence and versions are specifically studied. The Authors emphasize the importance of electronystagmography for an accurate planning of surgery.

A retrospective study regarding 72 subjects affected by Down syndrome: cared in some "La Nostra Famiglia" centers, is conducted. The parameters taken in consideration are refractive errors and eye motility disorders; the data are compared with those of a non-Down control group. The data concerning strabismus and other motility disorders are consistent with the literature's ones: the frequency of oculomotoric disorders in Down group is 55,5%. As far as the refractive errors are concerned, apart their well know association with myopia (37,5% in the group examined), a statistically positive incidence of hyperopia (44%) and astigmatism over 2 diopters (18,7%) is found.

The Authors report case of a young patient with periodic alternating nystagmus. The patient had damages in the Central Nervous System and esotropia. The diagnosis was possible after clinical examination and ocular movement recording.