Introduction

To analyze macular function after escitalopram treatment in patients with major depression.

Material and methods

In 21 newly diagnosed (42 eyes) patients (mean age: 46.4 ±11.6 years) with major depression (MD), and in 29 (58 eyes) age- and sex-matched healthy controls (mean age: 46.3 ±10.4 years) the following examinations were performed: visual acuity (Snellen Table), intraocular pressure, biomicroscopy of anterior and posterior segment of the eye and macular structure (SD-OCT-Zeiss). In the MD group, before and after 4 weeks of escitalopram treatment, a pattern electroretinogram (PERG) was registered and amplitudes (A) of P50 and N95 waves and peak times (PT) of P50 waves were analyzed. An analysis of the correlation between post-treatment changes of PERG parameters and depression severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale – HAMD) was achieved. The results were considered as a statistically significant with p < 0.05.

Results

In the MD group and healthy control the clinical results were normal. After treatment in the PERG test, significant shortening of PTP50 mean (p = 0.03) was detected. The amplitudes of P50 and N95 waves did not change significantly. Correlations between analyzed PERG parameters and HAMD score before and after treatment were not found (p > 0.05) but in MD patients in whom after treatment the change from severe to mild (using scores of HAMD) was achieved, a significant positive correlation (p = 0.04) between reduction of HAMD score and shortening of the PTP50 wave was found.

Conclusions

In patients with MD after escitalopram treatment, the improvement of bioelectrical macular function was detected. The PERG has a potential value to be useful, objective test in estimation of the treatment success.