A sweep VEP test for color vision deficits in infants and young children.
OBJECTIVE
Color vision testing in young children typically is precluded by the motor and cognitive skills required by standard tests; yet this information can be useful for diagnosis and counseling in many conditions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a visual evoked potential (VEP) method for assessing red-green color vision anomalies in pediatric patients.


METHODS
The relative chromatic luminance (C = R/R + G) of a rapidly reversing red-green checkerboard was varied across a wide range within a short viewing period (10 sec). Swept-parameter VEP methods were used to measure the cortical response to the range of C presented.


RESULTS
Individuals with normal color vision exhibit a VEP response that exceeds noise levels across all values of C, often with an amplitude minima near the photopic equiluminant point (C = 0.5). Results from children with established protan and deutan color vision anomalies show loss of VEP amplitude and phase at values of C consistent with the respective color defect. A patient with achromatopsia showed a generalized depression of VEP response across all values of C tested.


CONCLUSIONS
Color sweep VEP techniques appear promising for the clinical assessment of color status in pediatric patients.
Ver Hoeve
J N
JN
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53705, USA.
France
T D
TD
Bousch
G A
GA
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003119:Color Perception Tests / Q000379:methods*; D003117:Color Vision Defects / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests