Steady-state PVECP is superior to transient PVECP in the diagnosis of optic neuritis.

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic value for optic neuritis between transient pattern visual evoked potentials (PVECP) and steady-state PVECP.

SUBJECTS &

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 86 eyes of 69 patients with optic neuritis who visited our clinic. PVECPs to 3 rev/sec stimulation (transient) and 12 rev/sec stimulation (steady-state), were recorded in all patients.

RESULTS

All of the cases with non-recordable transient PVECP showed non recordable steady-state PVECP Conversely, the cases with non-recordable steady-state PVECP often showed measurable transient PVECP where the latency of the P100 component was delayed. In 51 cases with unilateral optic neuritis, the amplitude ratio of the P100; affected eye/non-affected eye was significantly smaller in the steady-state PVECP than in the transient PVECP

CONCLUSION

To detect visual dysfunction in optic neuritis, a steady-state PVECP was more sensitive than a transient PVECP.