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Authors
Dawn K. DeCarlo, Mark Swanson, Gerald McGwin, Kristina Visscher, and Cynthia Owsley

Visual-Evoked Response, Pattern Electroretinogram, and Psychophysical Magnocellular Thresholds in Glaucoma, Optic Atrophy, and Dyslexia

publication date
April 4, 2006
Category
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Abstract/Introduction

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare visual-evoked response (VEP) pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and psychophysical thresholds to the same stimulus, designed to be optimal for the magnocellular system, in suspects and patients with early glaucoma, patients with optic nerve disease, dyslexic children, and age-matched controls.

 

Methods. 

Stimuli were low spatial frequency sinusoidal luminance profile gratings abruptly phase reversing at 7.14 Hz. Electrophysiological recordings were made at 50%, 30%, 20%, 10%, and 5% contrast. Threshold was the lowest contrast evoking a clear response at the stimulus frequency. Three independent judges scored the traces. Psychophysical thresholds were obtained by ascending and descending method of limits. VEPs and PERGs to International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) standards and to increasing spatial frequencies were obtained as parvocellular specific controls. Patients were diagnosed independently by the referring professionals.


Conclusion/Results

Results

Parvocellular-specific responses were normal, except in cases with explicable visual acuity loss. The judges scores correlated highly (>0.9). VEPs and PERGs correlated highly and each correlated less well with psychophysics in normals, glaucoma, and dyslexia but the opposite occurred in optic nerve disease. VEPs had the lowest normal values and least variance (all adults <5%, children <10%, PERGs <20%). In glaucoma, VEP magnocellular deficits occurred in 85% of recently diagnosed positive cases, 48% of high-risk suspects, 39% of low-risk suspects, and ocular hypertensives. Approximately 28% of dyslexics had VEP magnocellular deficits. PERG losses were less frequent. There was a clear dichotomy and low correlations between psychophysics and electrophysiology both within and between groups. Psychophysical threshold elevations were absent in all glaucoma groups, often large in optic atrophy and small (2.5%) but highly significant in dyslexia.

 

Conclusion

Contrast thresholds to magnocellular-specific stimuli are consistent in cortex and retina. VEPs are more reliable. Psychophysics seems to tap different mechanisms. VEPs are very sensitive to early glaucoma. The lack of VEP loss in dyslexia suggests the other losses are artifactual. Further research is needed to see if stimuli even more like the frequency-doubling technology are more useful clinically.


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Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.


Amanda T.

Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.


Alexa H.

Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.

He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.

It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.

Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John  are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!


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Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.

Thank you!


Olivia C.

Seems much less frustrated with life

Reads non-stop and fast

Spelling abilities have been hugely improved

Seems much more confident

Thank You!!!


Kelly O.

When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!


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