Comparison between the flicker test procedures of Aulhorn and of Dölle in the diagnosis of optic neuritis.

The use of the flicker test for diagnostic purposes is based on the absence of Brücke's effect during acute inflammation of the optic nerve. The test device of Aulhorn was compared with another, less expensive flicker test device, that of Dölle. The flicker test device of Aulhorn uses a mechanical projection system. In the device of Dölle, the flicker field is formed by electronically controlled groups of light-emitting diodes. In an initial examination, the reliability of Aulhorn's test was slightly higher than of Dölle's procedure. The normal ranges in 45 healthy subjects differed markedly between the two methods. One hundred and fifteen eyes of patients with established or suspected optic neuritis were also examined. Although there were differences in some conditions (e.g. shape and homogeneity of flicker field) due to the techniques, the specificity and sensitivity of the two methods were similar concerning the diagnosis of acute optic neuritis.