Use of 10-Hz flash visual evoked potentials in prediction of final visual acuity in diabetic eyes with vitreous hemorrhage.

In 44 diabetic eyes with vitreous hemorrhage, monocular steady-state visual evoked potentials were elicited through closed eyes by a 10-Hz flash. Visual evoked potentials were rated as normal or abnormal on the basis of amplitude and waveform. Abnormal visual evoked potentials were subdivided into mildly abnormal, markedly abnormal and nonrecordable categories. Patients with normal potentials were predicted to have visual acuities of 6/15 (20/50) or better. Patients with abnormal potentials were predicted to have visual acuities of 6/18 (20/60) or worse. Final visual acuities were the best visual acuities recorded in the 6 months after vitreous surgery (vitrectomy) or spontaneous clearing of the vitreous hemorrhage. The visual evoked potential categories and final acuities were compared with a 2 x 2 contingency table. The accuracy was 86%. The visual evoked potential categories and final acuities were associated at a statistically significant level.