Comparison between RETevalTM Hand-Held Flash VEP and Standard Pattern-Reversal VEP in Diagnosing Optic Nerve Diseases

Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v42i2.2180

Abstract

Purpose:  To evaluate the clinical applicability of a portable, hand-held flash visual evoked potential (VEP) device in patients with optic nerve disorders.

Study Design:  Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study:  This study was conducted at Sardjito General Hospital, from May 2021 to May 2022.

Methods:  VEP latencies were compared between two groups of patients diagnosed with optic nerve disorders. Group 1 were evaluated using the RETeval™ hand-held flash VEP device, employing the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) standard flash VEP protocol at 3 cd·s/m². Participants in Group 2 underwent assessment using conventional pattern-reversal VEP (PRVEP). The mean latency was compared between the two groups.

Results:  A total of 24 eyes from 19 patients were included. In Group 1, the mean age was 40.9 ± 15.6 years and in Group 2, it was 34.3 ± 9.9 years. The mean best-corrected visual acuity in both groups was 0.9 LogMAR Group 1, mean flash VEP latency was 132.5 ± 27.6 ms. In Group 2, the mean PRVEP latency was 125.0 ± 34.2ms, also indicating delayed conduction. No statistically significant difference was observed between the mean VEP latencies of the two groups (p = 0.559).

Conclusion:  The comparison between the RETeval™ hand-held flash VEP and PRVEP revealed no significant difference in VEP latencies. RETeval™ hand-held flash VEP may have potential clinical utility as a practical tool for the assessment and diagnosis of optic nerve disorders, particularly in settings where conventional VEP testing is not readily available.