Visually evoked potentials in Neuro‐Ophthalmology

Abstract

The first major development in the visually evoked potentials (VEP) was the move from flash to pattern stimulation in the 1970's. The neurophysiological basis of the responses to flash and to pattern stimuli will be reviewed to explain the superiority of the pattern VEP. The following questions will be considered: Why were the early findings in multiple sclerosis so influential? In what situations does the pVEP continue to be useful clinically, with particular emphasis on the classification of optic neuritis? Should VEP and ERG always be carried out in combination? When is flash VEP useful? Is there a role for a chromatic VEP?