Anna Brouwer

Abstract Purpose A major point of concern in uveitis is the development of irreversible retinal changes after inflammation. In this study, we assess how non-anterior childhood uveitis affects retinal function using full field electroretinography (ERG). Methods Cross-sectional study. ERGs of 63 uveitis eyes (33 children) were measured according to extended International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) protocols. ERG abnormalities were investigated in relation to the following clinical parameters: demographics, uveitis characteristics, including severity of inflammation, treatment, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), cystoid macular edema (CME) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography score. Results The ERG showed abnormalities in 34 eyes (54%). Themost frequent ERGabnormalities were prolonged implicit times of the cone b-wave (37%; n = 23/63) and an abnormal 30 Hz flicker response (implicit time and/or amplitude) (33%; n = 21/63). Factors associated with these ERG abnormalities were CME (p = .021) and 3+ vitreous cells (p = .021). BCVA in eyes with and without these ERG abnormalities did not statistically differ, and was relatively good (median 0.05 LogMAR, IQR 0.00 - 0.15 LogMAR). Conclusion The ERG is frequently affected in childhood uveitis indicating a global retinal dysfunction. ERG abnormalities seem to be associated with a more severe posterior segment inflammation and a younger age. If an association between ERGabnormalities and long term visual outcome can be made in the future, these early ERG findings during the course of childhood uveitis have significance for treatment strategies. 110 Chapter 5