RR Hidajat^1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, and ²Medical Physics and Bioengineering, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand

This paper reviews the clinical value of ophthalmic electrodiagnosis in Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand, during the past 4 decades. Electroretinography is most useful when clinical diagnosis is uncertain, particularly during infancy. This is especially true for differentiating the early stages of congenital retinal dystrophy and nystagmus where clinical examination has failed to confirm the diagnosis. Electro-oculography is the most sensitive indicator of retinal toxicity from desferrioxamine, an iron-chelation therapy used for the treatment of iron overload caused by blood transfusion–dependent anaemia. An accurate differential diagnosis of optic neuritis is essential, as there are important implications for the development of multiple sclerosis. Therefore, one of the most important clinical applications of visual evoked potentials remains the detection of healed optic neuritis. In this review, the clinical value of ophthalmic electrophysiology as a useful tool in the practice of ophthalmology is discussed. Ophthalmic electrodiagnosis will continue to be used at Christchurch Hospital, as the knowledge of electrophysiology of the eye can be applied when examining ophthalmic disorders.

Key words: Electrodiagnosis, Electrophysiology

Asian J Ophthalmol. 2007;9:175-178.