The visual cortex, a part of the brain, produces an electrical signal in response to visual stimulus, which is measured by a visual evoked potential (VEP) test.
The visual cortex, a part of the brain, produces an electrical signal in response to visual stimulus, which is measured by a visual evoked potential (VEP) test. Another name for the test is a visual evoked response (VER).
A VEP test precisely evaluates the performance of your visual pathway, which comprises your:
- Eyes.
- Eye nerves.
- In the brain, the optic chiasm is where some optic nerve fibres from one eye cross over with optic nerve fibres from the opposite eye.
- The optic tract connects your brain to your optic chiasm.
- The portion of your visual pathway known as ocular radiation (OR) carries visual information from your retina, optic nerve, and OR.
- Brain cortex.
Why Is VEP Test Done?
Tests for visual evoked potentials can be used to identify or help diagnose the following conditions:
The disease MS, which frequently results in optic neuritis. The most frequent justification given by medical professionals for ordering a visual evoked potential test is this.
An optic nerve glioma (often brought on by neurofibromatosis type 1).
Your optic pathways being compressed, possibly as a result of hydrocephalus or a pituitary tumour.
Damage to the visual system caused by head or brain trauma.
Toxic optic neuropathy brought on by other pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, or certain drugs.
The anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, among other kinds of optic neuropathy.
Infection-related problems with the visual system, such as meningeal TB.
Providers may also use VEPs to monitor the development of some neurodegenerative disorders that have already been identified. These conditions include, as examples:
- MS or multiple sclerosis.
- Optic neuropathy in Liber (LON).
- Dominant optic neuritis (DON) of the Kier type.
- Ataxia of Friedrich.
