[Electroophthalmological findings in optic atrophies of different etiology (author's transl)].

The recording of visually evoked cortical potentials in response to pattern stimuli of different brightness contrast permits functional examination of the optic nerve. This procedure has already been shown to be useful in inflammatory diseases of the optic nerve. Clinical case studies are presented showing that optic atrophies, independent of their etiology, can be ascertained by visually evoked cortical potentials elicited by pattern stimuli, occasionally also by the application of homogeneous light flashes (brightness responses). The technique is shown to be useful especially in early stages of disorders of the optic nerve.