[Relationship between central visual field and pattern VECP in optic neuritis].

We compared the visual field within 10 degrees with the latency and amplitude of the P100 component of pattern visually evoked cortical potentials (PVECPs) in optic neuritis. Twenty five eyes of 17 cases with optic neuritis suffered from multiple sclerosis (MS) and in 21 eyes of 17 cases optic neuritis was caused by unknown etiology. The visual field was tested by program 31 of the automated perimeter Octopus. PVECPs were recorded with a television system. The visual field was considered to be abnormal for when at least one abnormal point was found within a 10-degree field. P100 peak latency of PVECPs with above normal mean latency plus 2SD was defined as abnormally prolonged. The abnormalities found by 10-degree visual field and PVECPs latency correlated significantly both in cases of MS and unknown cause. The eyes with mean loss of over 4dB within a 10-degree visual field invariably had a delayed latency. Those with an abnormal central point or abnormal points in the lower part within 10-degree visual field had a delayed latency. The latency was estimated in relation to causes, age, visual acuity and visual field. The cases with worse vision or worse field showed a tendency to have a prolonged latency. In unilateral cases the ratio of PVECPs amplitude between affected eyes and healthy fellow eyes was studied. The eyes which had abnormal visual field within 10 degrees and a delayed latency showed reduced amplitude of at most 61% compared with that of the healthy fellow eyes(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)