[Methods of stimulation in visual electrophysiology].

After introducing physical and physiological stimulation parameters, the authors present different techniques and discuss their clinical usefulness for the investigation of the visual system: flashes: chiefly 'ganzfeld' stimulators (whole field or local stimulation). A solution using optic fibres incorporated in a sclero-corneal electrode built in our laboratory is presented; patterns: bars or chekerboards, especially on TV screens. Advantages and inconveniences of video images are discussed; other techniques: essentially endocular laser interference fringes, electrical stimulations, high level flashes for ERP and binocular studies, particularly dynamic random dot pattern EVP. In conclusion, the necessity for the careful control of stimulation characteristics and for a strategy suitable for clinical examination is discussed.