Multifocal visual evoked potentials for early glaucoma detection

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging. 2012 Jul 1;43(4):335-40. doi: 10.3928/15428877-20120618-07.

Abstract

Background and objective: To compare multifocal visual evoked potentials (mfVEP) with other detection methods in early open-angle glaucoma.

Patients and methods: Ten patients with suspected glaucoma and 5 with early open-angle glaucoma underwent mfVEP, standard automated perimetry (SAP), short-wave automated perimetry, frequency-doubling technology perimetry, and nerve fiber layer optical coherence tomography. Nineteen healthy control subjects underwent mfVEP and SAP for comparison. Comparisons between groups involving continuous variables were made using independent t tests; for categorical variables, Fisher's exact test was used.

Results: Monocular mfVEP cluster defects were associated with an increased SAP pattern standard deviation (P = .0195). Visual fields that showed interocular mfVEP cluster defects were more likely to also show superior quadrant nerve fiber layer thinning by OCT (P = .0152).

Conclusion: Multifocal visual evoked potential cluster defects are associated with a functional and an anatomic measure that both relate to glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Axons / pathology
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual*
  • Female
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ocular Hypertension / diagnosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / pathology
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Vision Disorders / diagnosis
  • Visual Field Tests
  • Visual Fields