Visual evoked potentials.

The recording of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) is an important means of obtaining reproducible, quantitative data on the function of the anterior visual pathways. In this review, the technical aspects of recording VEPs are briefly discussed, components of the VEPs are described, and the clinical uses of VEPs are considered. It is concluded that VEPs are useful in providing information concerning the functional integrity of the anterior visual pathways. They are especially useful in evaluating patients with visual symptoms but no objective findings on examination and in patients without visual symptoms but with diseases that are known to involve the visual pathways commonly and subclinically. Lastly, the utility and limitations of VEPs in various neurological disorders are summarized, bearing in mind the widespread availability of advanced neuroimaging techniques.