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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Multifocal Electroretinograms
Published on: December 4, 2011
Usefulness of multifocal VEP in a child requiring perimetry
Eiichi Yukawa1, Toyoaki Matsuura, Yeong-Jin Kim
1Department of Ophthalmology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan. y-eiichi@mrh.biglobe.ne.jp
Insights
Multifocal visual evoked potentials (mfVEP) reliably detect visual-field defects in children with epilepsy and brain lesions. This objective method aids in diagnosing visual impairments when traditional perimetry is challenging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Evaluating visual-field defects in children with epilepsy can be challenging due to difficulties with conventional perimetry.
- Arachnoid cysts and epilepsy can lead to neurological complications affecting visual pathways.
Observation:
- Multifocal visual evoked potentials (mfVEP) were measured in a child with epilepsy and a confirmed arachnoid cyst causing homonymous hemianopia.
- mfVEP recordings were obtained at two different time points, including when kinetic perimetry was difficult and later when it became feasible.
- Assessment focused on peak latency and amplitude of response waves in the mfVEP recordings.
Findings:
- mfVEP demonstrated significant amplitude decreases in the left visual hemifield, correlating with the lesion's location.
- These findings were consistent with the left homonymous hemianopia diagnosed through kinetic perimetry.
- The objective mfVEP data corroborated the results from imaging and functional perimetry.
Implications:
- mfVEP offers a reliable, objective method for assessing visual-field defects in pediatric patients.
- This technique is particularly valuable for children unable to complete standard visual field testing.
- mfVEP can aid in the early detection and monitoring of visual impairments secondary to neurological conditions.
Abstract:
We examined the reliability of multifocal visual evoked potentials for evaluating visual-field defects in a child with epilepsy and an arachnoid cyst. Multifocal visual evoked potentials were measured both when perimetry was difficult and several years later, when kinetic perimetry became possible in a child with epilepsy and homonymous hemianopia, as suggested by computed tomography of the brain. The peak latency and amplitude of response waves were used for assessment. The recordings of multifocal visual evoked potentials at both times revealed marked decreases in amplitude in the left visual hemifield. This area of decreased amplitude corresponded to the location of the lesion observed with imaging techniques, and was consistent with the left homonymous hemianopia observed via kinetic perimetry. The objective evaluation of visual-field defects through multifocal visual evoked potentials may be useful in children in whom conventional perimetry is difficult.
