Transient reduction of the ocular perfusion pressure and the oscillatory potentials of the ERG

PURPOSE To evaluate the changes of the Oscillatory Potentials (OPs) of Electroretinogram (ERG) caused by short-term hypertension in human subjects, and their relationship with ocular perfusion pressure (OPP). METHODS Suction cup technique in 12 normal volunteers with OPs simultaneously recording. RESULTS Scotopic and photopic OPs were altered during OPP drop. Scotopic OPs showed more sensitiveness, with higher reduction (from 21% to 47%), when compared to the basal value, than in photopic recordings (from 14% to 34%). In both conditions, the relationship between OPP and OPs presented a steady amplitude before the trough after the +30 step, and rapid recovery after OPP normalisation. ANOVA and correlation analysis confirmed the data. CONCLUSION The ERG OPs seemed to reflect the OPP modification. The features of OPs amplitudes suggest involvement of the retinal autoregulation mechanism and support development for further clinical studies.