Paediatric applications

Abstract

SummaryThe International Society for Clinical Visual Electrophysiology of Vision, [ISCEV], publishes standards for performing five clinical visual electrophysiology tests; ffERG, mfERG, PERG, VEP and EOG, (www.ISCEV.org/standards). Older and co‐operative children tolerate these adult standard protocols well. Less compliant, younger infants, children with systemic as well as ocular disease or those with learning difficulties can benefit from adaptations that account of visual system maturation, make the test time shorter and the test experience less stressful. This talk will describe the key maturational changes and their impact on ERGs and VEP waveforms. Ways of combining and modifying tests for alert infants will be described that account for visual pathway development and limited tolerance. These will include the effects of anaesthesia, choice of electrodes and stimulation techniques. Case examples will be presented to show how visual electrophysiology maybe used to diagnose retinal dysfunction and to monitor visual pathway dysfunction in children.