Pattern visual evoked potentials in normal-vision eyes of post-therapy amblyopia

Abstract

To evaluate the clinical significance of pattern visual evoked potential (P-VEP) parameters on amblyopic patients with normal-vision after pleoptic therapy. We investigated 60 amblyopic children (8-12 years old) who gained normal-vision after pleoptic therapy. These patients were assigned to a unilateral amblyopia group (40 patients) and a bilateral amblyopia group (20 patients). Another 20 healthy children served as a control group. All patients underwent a full initial ophthalmologic and orthoptic evaluation. P-VEP test was performed in all. Amplitude and latencies were analyzed and compared among groups. The latencies of P100 waves in the amblyopic eyes were used to generate a multiple linear regression formula from sex, first treatment age, baseline visual acuity, and cycloplegic refraction. There was no significant difference in the mean levels of best-corrected visual acuity among groups (P>0.05). A significant prolongation of the latency and a decrease of amplitude of P100 waves were observed in the unilateral amblyopia group and the bilateral amblyopia group compared with the healthy control group (P<0.05). Amplitude and latencies of the fellow eyes in the unilateral amblyopia group were abnormal compared with the healthy control group (P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the latencies of P100 waves were significantly correlated with the first treatment age, baseline visual acuity, and cycloplegic refraction (R(2)= 0.52, P<0.05). Deficits exist in the fellow eyes and in normal-vision eyes after pleoptic therapy. The delayed P100 latency is affected by the first treatment age, baseline visual acuity, and cycloplegic refraction. Traditional amblyopic therapy may be not enough for vision function recovery.