Correlation of visual evoked potentials, ophthalmological and neurological findings after unilateral optic neuritis

Forty-two patients were tested with pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (VEPs) 1--8 years after an episode of acute unilateral optic neuritis. The stimulation was produced by dot as well as checker-board pattern. An unexpectedly large proportion (12 cases) showed normal VEP latencies from the affected eye. In these patients the initial visual acuity was on the average significantly better than in cases with prolonged VEP latencies. They also had significantly fewer remaining ocular signs than the patients with abnormal VEPs. On the other hand, no correlation was found between the VEP findings and the incidence of CSF abnormalities, multiple sclerosis and HLA types. In 14 patients of which 13 belonged to the group above, repeated VEP tests were performed from the acute onset of the disease and up to 2 years afterwards confirming that a considerable normalization of VEP latencies occurs.