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

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 ail 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 ail values of C tested. Conclusion: Color sweep VEP techniques appear promising for the clinical assessment of color status in pediatric patients.