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102. Jahrestagung der DOG

Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft e. V.

23. bis 26.09.2004, Berlin

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Electrophysiology in the diagnosis of visual disorders in childhood

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  • corresponding author B. Lorenz - Dept. of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismology and Ophthalmic Genetics, Klinikum, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany External link

Evidenzbasierte Medizin - Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. 102. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft. Berlin, 23.-26.09.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. Doc04dogSO.07.04

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dog2004/04dog480.shtml

Published: September 22, 2004

© 2004 Lorenz.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.

Outline

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Severe congenital visual disorders in childhood in otherwise normal eyes usually require electrophysiological testing. In particular, the various diseases underlying sensory defect nystagmus must be differentiated from idiopathic (motor) nystagmus. This is important in view of differences in visual prognosis and recurrence risk. X-linked retinoschisis and Stargardt disease usually have a characteristic fundus appearance. However, early in the disease changes may be discrete, and only Ganzfeld ERG and mf ERG will give the diagnosis. In acquired visual problems organic causes must be differentiated from functional disorders. Electrophysiological tests can help with sorting out the diagnosis. Examples of the various disorders will be given. Age-related problems of specific electrophysiological tests will be discussed. In many instances, electrophysiology is key for a precise diagnosis. As a result, other costly examinations may be avoided.