AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the isolated-checked visual evoked potential(IC-VEP)in the detection of open angle glaucoma and compared it to the blue-yellow perimetry(B/YP)and optical coherent tomography(OCT).

METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, IC-VEP, perimetry and OCT were performed on 101 subjects(n=35, normal; n=30, early glaucoma; n=36, moderate and advanced glaucoma)from China. The sensitivity of IC-VEP, perimetry and OCT for detection of glaucoma, as well as the agreement within these 3 methods, were calculated to evaluate their clinic performance.

RESULTS: In the early primary open angle glaucoma(POAG)group the sensitivity of IC-VEP, blue-yellow perimetry and OCT were 70.00%, 70.00% and 63.33%, respectively. In the moderate advanced POAG group, the sensitivity of IC-VEP, OCT and blue-yellow perimetry were 86.11%, 88.89% and 91.67%, respectively. The specificity of IC-VEP was 91.43%. The results of IC-VEP were highly consistent with OCT and blue-yellow visual field tests(kappa: 0.721-1.000, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:As an objective examination of visual function, IC-VEP can be used for early diagnosis of glaucoma. It may be a useful tool for monitoring the function of RGCs in suspected glaucoma patients.