Is Fixation Preference a Potential Indicator of Macular Function in Children?

• Published in: Turk oftalmoloji gazetesi 2021-06, Vol.51 (3), p.151-155
• Main Authors: Taylan Şekeroğlu, Hande, Bilgiç, Ahmet Alp, Karakaya, Jale
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: erg; fixation; macular function; Original; pattern erg; strabismus; Tıp; Vision disorders in children
• ISSN: 1300-0659; 2149-8695; 2147-2661; 2149-8709
• DOI: 10.4274/tjo.galenos.2020.41524

Objectives: Fixation preference testing is widely used to detect amblyopia, particularly in preverbal children. Pattern electroretinogram (pERG) is an electrophysiological test which is a sensitive indicator of macular function. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fixation preference and macular function on pERG in children with strabismus. Materials and Methods: The study included 11 children with strabismus. All underwent ophthalmological examination including fixation preference by binocular fixation pattern test, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) assessment, and pERG. Results: The mean age of the patients was 10.09[+ or -]1.18 years. All patients had unilateral fixation. The mean BCVA was 0.85[+ or -]0.17 in preferred and 0.48[+ or -]0.19 in non-preferred eyes (p = 0.003). The mean p50 amplitude was 6.07[+ or -]2.06 [micro]V in preferred and 5.29[+ or -]2.20 [micro]V in non-preferred eyes (p = 0.203), and the mean N95 amplitude was 8.27[+ or -]2.86 [micro]V and 8.03[+ or -]3.24 [micro]V respectively (p = 0.594). BCVA was correlated with p50 and N95 amplitudes in the non-preferred eyes (p = 0.023 and p = 0.014). Interocular BCVA difference was correlated with interocular P50 amplitude difference (r=0.688, p = 0.019). Conclusion: Although amblyopia is typically considered a cortical phenomenon, future larger studies are needed to investigate the relationship between fixation preference and macular electrophysiological function. Keywords: ERG, fixation, macular function, pattern ERG, strabismus