Full‐field ERG responses in fellow eyes after the monocular trauma: normal values variability and the classification of oculo‐ocular reactions

Purpose: To determine the monocular trauma influence "normal" values of the ERGs in fellow eyes. Methods: Archive data of 845 patients who undergone the ocular trauma were analyzed retrospectively. We tested also ERG responses in 79 fellow eyes in dynamics: during 1 year after the trauma or enucleation. The single‐flash (4.7 cd?s?m‐2) and flicker (1.8 cd?s?m‐2; 12‐40Hz) full field ERGs were elicited after 10 min dark adaptation. The glial index Kg was calculated as the ERG b‐wave/12Hz‐flicker ERG amplitudes ratio. Results: Regularities of ERG alterations in fellow eyes were determined, which depended on a remoteness and severity of the first eye damage. The data suggest that some regularity in oculo‐ocular reactions (OOR) should be considered the reflection of general adaptation (stress‐) syndrome on the retina level. Between all groups, patients with posttraumatic uveitis and subatrophy showed more pronounced disturbances in the ERGs. Two types of b‐wave and Kg dynamics were found in the earlier period after an enucleation or trauma. The first one should be determined as the regular fellow eye reaction, and the second – as a pathological one. The more expressed alterations in Kg and the slower restoration period should be considered the signs of a higher risk of sympathetic ophthalmia in a remote post‐surgical period. The proposed classification of OOR may have application for the more accurate detection of normal and pathological fellow eye reactions for prescriptions in damaged eye removing. Conclusions: The revealed regularities should be taken into account for greater clinical value of electroretinography in trauma and, possibly, in other monocular pathology.