[Forensic Application of Objective Assessment on Visual Acuity by ERP]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology
• Forensic Science

Background:

• Visual acuity assessment is crucial in various fields, including forensic medicine.
• Current methods for visual acuity testing can be subjective.
• Objective electrophysiological measures offer potential for improved accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the characteristics of event-related potentials (ERPs) in individuals with varying levels of visual acuity.
• To establish a theoretical foundation for the objective evaluation of visual acuity using ERPs.

Main Methods:

• Monocular visual stimuli corresponding to supra-threshold, threshold, and sub-threshold visual acuity levels were presented to 16 subjects.
• Subjects counted stimuli presented centrally on a screen.
• Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded and analyzed.

Main Results:

• P₁ amplitudes for supra-threshold visual acuity were significantly higher than for threshold and sub-threshold levels.
• The P₃₀₀ component, observed between 340-500 ms post-stimulus, was present in supra-threshold and threshold conditions but absent in sub-threshold conditions.
• P₃₀₀ amplitudes decreased significantly with declining visual acuity.

Conclusions:

• Event-related potentials (ERPs) demonstrate measurable differences correlated with visual acuity levels.
• ERPs present a promising new objective method for assessing visual acuity, with potential applications in forensic medicine.