The structure-function correlation analysed by OCT and full field ERG in typical and pericentral subtypes of retinitis pigmentosa

To investigate the structure-function correlation analysed by full-field electroretinography (ffERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in typical and pericentral subtypes of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). A retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study of right eyes was conducted. The primary analysis used ffERG data to compare the RP subtypes. The subgroup analysis was used to correlate the structure, analysed by OCT, and function, determined by ffERG. Linear regressions explored the relationship between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and multiple parameters. A total of 188 eyes were included. Amplitudes of responses of rod, rod-cone, cone, and 30 Hz flicker of typical type were lower than those of pericentral and other types. In the subgroup analysis, 41 and 21 eyes of the typical and pericentral types were studied, respectively. The correlation between the estimated preserved photoreceptor area and all ffERG amplitude parameters were significant in the typical type, but not in pericentral type. Old age, decreased intact ellipsoid zone length, typical type, and thin central retinal thickness were negatively correlated with BCVA. Typical type RP developed more extensive degeneration and poorer BCVA compared to others. Strong structure-function correlation was found in typical type while not in pericentral type. OCT may be a useful tool for monitoring RP status in typical type, providing useful parameters for the prediction of BCVA.

Automated summary

This study investigated the structure-function correlation in different subtypes of RP using ffERG and OCT. The typical subtype showed more extensive retinal degeneration and poorer BCVA compared to the pericentral subtype. Strong structure-function correlation was found in the typical subtype, while not in the pericentral subtype. OCT may be a useful tool for monitoring RP status and predicting BCVA in the typical subtype.