[Visual electrically evoked potentials in healthy subjects and patients with optic nerve atrophy]

Visual electrically evoked potentials (VEEP) were measured by the method developed by the author in 14 healthy subjects (14 eyes) and 20 patients with optic atrophy (22 eyes). The normative values were established. VEEP with slightly decreased amplitude, otherwise unchanged, were found in the patients in all the cases with visual acuity of at least 0.03. Comparative study of VEEP and flash VEP has lead the author to a hypothesis that retinal ganglion cells and their axons are a source of VEEP (provided suprathreshold electrical stimuli are employed). Comparison of VEEP, flash and pattern VEPs has not revealed significant correlations between them, this indicating the possible presence of a specific 'channel' in the visual system, responsible for VEEP generation.