A sweep VEP test for color vision deficits in infants and young children.

摘要

PURPOSE: Color vision testing in young children typically is precluded by the motor and cognitive skills required by standard tests; yet this information can be useful for diagnosis and counseling in many conditions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a visual evoked potential (VEP) method for assessing red-green color vision anomalies in pediatric patients. METHOD: The relative chromatic luminance (C = R/R + G) of a rapidly reversing red-green checkerboard was varied across a wide range within a short viewing period (10 sec). Swept-parameter VEP methods were used to measure the cortical response to the range of C presented. RESULTS: Individuals with normal color vision exhibit a VEP response that exceeds noise levels across all values of C, often with an amplitude minima near the photopic equiluminant point (C = 0.5). Results from children with established protan and deutan color vision anomalies show loss of VEP amplitude and phase at values of C consistent with the respective color defect. A patient with achromatopsia showed a generalized depression of VEP response across all values of C tested. CONCLUSION: Color sweep VEP techniques appear promising for the clinical assessment of color status in pediatric patients.