Mitsuya Ikejiri

Pattern visual evoked potentials in traumatic optic neuropathy

To evaluate the characteristics of pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEPs) in traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) compared with optic neuritis (ON), we retrospectively studied 47 patients with TON and 64 patients with unilateral ON. PVEPs elicited by the stimulation with 3 reversals/s were recorded in all patients. A PVEP could be recorded in 29.8% of the TON patients and 49.6% of the ON patients at their first visit. In the 14 patients with TON and recordable PVEPs, the mean amplitude ratio (affected/fellow eye) was 0.29 ± 0.03 (SE) and the mean delay of the peak latency was 17.9 ± 2.9 ms. In the 30 patients with ON and recordable PVEPs, the mean amplitude ratio was 0.48 ± 0.04 (SE) and the mean delay of the peak latency was 23.5 ± 2.5 ms. The amplitude ratio was significantly lower in patients with TON than in those with ON.

Comparison of Yatabe-Guilford personality test results in retinitis pigmentosa and glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE To determine the psychological state and personality traits of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or glaucoma so that a closer and better relationship can be developed with the patients. METHODS The Yatabe-Guilford personality test was administered to 75 RP patients and 42 glaucoma patients. The latter group included 29 cases of primary open-angle glaucoma, 6 of primary angle-closure glaucoma, and 7 of normal-tension glaucoma. The patients were being treated at the Department of Ophthalmology, Chiba University Hospital. As controls, 47 age-matched volunteers were tested. RESULTS A comparison of these three groups showed that the proportions of patients with cyclic tendency, rhathymia, and lack of cooperativeness traits were significantly higher in the RP group than in the glaucoma group. The lack of cooperativeness value was especially higher in the RP than in the glaucoma group and the control group (Fisher exact test, P <.05). On the other hand, the nervousness value was significantly higher in the glaucoma group than in the RP group and than in controls (Fisher exact test, P <.05). Factors of sex, age, type of disease, corrected visual acuity, and central visual fields did not influence the profiles of the RP and glaucoma groups. CONCLUSION RP patients had relatively well-stabilized personalities and were optimistic, while glaucoma patients tended toward nervousness in comparison with RP patients and controls.