Field-specific visual-evoked potentials: identifying field defects in vigabatrin-treated children.

OBJECTIVE

To derive a visual-evoked potential (VEP) technique for identifying visual field defects in children with epilepsy treated with vigabatrin and unable to perform perimetry.

BACKGROUND

Studies have linked vigabatrin to a specific pattern of visual field loss. Few studies have included the pediatric population because of difficulties in assessing the visual field by perimetry below a developmental age of 9 years.

METHODS

A field-specific VEP was developed with a central (0 degrees to 5 degrees radius) and peripheral stimulus (30 degrees to 60 degrees radius). Stimuli consisted of black and white checks that increased in size with eccentricity. Checks reversed at different rates, allowing separate central and peripheral responses to be recorded. Five vigabatrin-treated young adults with field defects were identified using this stimulus. Electroretinograms (ERG) were recorded to examine the effects of vigabatrin on retinal function. Thirty-nine children aged 3 to 15 years were included in the study. Twelve patients were examined by both the field-specific stimulus test and perimetry. The diagnostic performance of the field-specific stimulus test was compared with that of perimetry.

RESULTS

Thirty-five of 39 children complied with the field-specific stimulus, 26 of 39 complied with the ERG, and 12 of 39 complied with perimetry. Using the summed amplitude of the peripheral response from O(2) and O(1), responses below 10 microV were deemed abnormal. The field-specific stimulus identified 3 of 4 abnormal perimetry results and 7 of 8 normal perimetry results, giving a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 87.5%. When comparing perimetry results with the ERG parameters, only the 30-Hz flicker amplitude, with a cutoff below 70 microV, gave a useful indication of visual field loss.

CONCLUSION

Field-specific VEP are well tolerated by children older than 2 years of age and are sensitive and specific in identifying vigabatrin-associated peripheral field defects.