Stereoscopic visual evoked potentials in normal subjects and patients with open-angle glaucomas.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate stereoscopic visual evoked potentials (S-VEP) in normal controls and in patients with glaucomatous optic nerve damage.


METHODS
Computer-generated dynamic random-dot stereograms were used to elicit cortical visual evoked potentials using wireless electric liquid crystal shutter glasses. Normal subjects (n=22) and patients with glaucoma (n=22) were investigated using five different disparities from 9 to 40 arc min. Statistical dependency of measurements with different stimulus at identical patients was adjusted for.


RESULTS
Peak times of onset and offset response of S-VEP can be significantly delayed in glaucomas. A general linear regression model confirmed that differences between patients and normals depend on disparity. S-VEP onset shows no significant difference between controls and glaucomas at 9 arc min disparity. At high disparities, however, peak time of the onset response was significantly (p<0.01) delayed in glaucomas when compared with normals (normals: 125.8+/-13 ms, glaucomas: 148.2+/-25.6 ms at 40 arc min).


CONCLUSIONS
Visual evoked potential elicited by the onset of a random-dot stereogram can be used for objective measurement of stereoacuity in a clinical setting. Differences between controls and glaucomas in high and low disparities could indicate a stereo-specific deficit in glaucoma.
Bergua
Antonio
A
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. antonio.bergua@augen.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Horn
Folkert K
FK
Martus
Peter
P
Jünemann
Anselm M
AM
Korth
Matthias
M
D003867:Depth Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology; D015357:Vision Disparity / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity