Alteration of oscillatory potentials in diabetics induced by photocoagulation of the retina.

Oscillatory potentials (OP) of the electroretinogram (ERG) were recorded and normalized with respect to the overall amplitude of the ERG in normal and diabetic subjects. Normalized OP decrease with increasing diabetic retinopathy, exhibiting a strict bilateral symmetry in normal individuals but an extremely wide scatter (of asymmetry between both eyes) in diabetics. It can be demonstrated that after successful (?) photocoagulation (partial or panretinal), the amplitude of the OP can sometimes increase, possibly indicating improved retinal function in the noncoagulated area.