Reversal of retinal ganglion cell dysfunction after surgical reduction of intraocular pressure.

PURPOSE The pattern electroretinogram optimized for glaucoma screening (PERGLA) is a noninvasive method of objectively measuring retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function. This study was undertaken to quantify the RGC response to intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after glaucoma surgery. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS Forty-seven eyes of 47 patients with uncontrolled IOP or progressive glaucomatous optic neuropathy receiving maximal medical therapy requiring trabeculectomy or aqueous drainage device implantation who met eligibility criteria. METHODS Eyes with visual acuity less than 20/30, corneal or retinal pathologic features, or unreliable standard automated perimetry (SAP) results were excluded. All patients underwent complete ocular examination, arterial blood pressure, SAP, and PERGLA at 2 sessions before surgery and at 3 months after surgery. Mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP) was calculated. Each measure of PERGLA amplitude and phase was an average of 600 artifact-free signal registrations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Intraocular pressure and PERGLA amplitude and phase. RESULTS Forty-seven eyes of 47 patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 69.9 ± 11.3 years) were enrolled. Thirty-four eyes (72%) underwent trabeculectomy with antifibrosis therapy; 13 eyes (28%) underwent glaucoma drainage implant surgery. Mean ± SD postoperative IOP (10.4 ± 4.6 mmHg) was significantly (P< 0.001) reduced compared with that before surgery (19.7 ± 8.6 mmHg). Mean ± SD postoperative PERGLA amplitude (0.46 ± 0.22 μV) was significantly (P = 0.001) increased compared with preoperative PERGLA amplitude (0.37 ± 0.18 μV). Mean ± SD postoperative PERGLA phase (1.72 ± 0.20 π-radian) was significantly (P = 0.01) reduced compared with preoperative PERGLA phase (1.81 ± 0.22 π-radian). Mean ± SD postoperative MOPP (53.1 ± 6.4 mmHg) was significantly (P < 0.001) increased compared with mean ± SD preoperative MOPP (45.8 ± 10.1 mmHg). No correlation (P > 0.05) was identified between change in PERGLA amplitude and change in IOP or MOPP. CONCLUSIONS Reversal of RGC dysfunction occurs after surgical reduction of IOP and may be quantified using PERGLA.