AIM: To compare the pre-and postoperation results of flash visual evoked potential(FVEP)and pattern visual evoked potential(PVEP)and to discuss the significance of FVEP and PVEP examinations in assessing postoperative visual acuity in senile cataract patients.

METHODS: During the period of June 2015 to May 2016, 68 cases of senile cataract patients(79 eyes)were treated in our hospital. This research analyzed the changes of pre- and postoperative FVEP and PVEP results and compared the preoperative FVEP, PVEP, FVEP combined with PVEP results with the postoperative best corrected visual acuity(BCVA).

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the incubation time of P2 wave and the amplitude of N2-P2 wave of FVEP pre-and postoperative examination(t=0.448, -0.492; P>0.05), there was statistically significant difference in the incubation time of P100 wave and the amplitude of N75-P100 wave of PVEP pre-and postoperative examination(t=2.505, -5.462; P<0.05).The incubation time of P2 and P100 wave before operation were significantly negatively correlated with the postoperative BCVA(r=-0.694, -0.402; P<0.05). The amplitude of N2-P2 wave before operation was significantly positively correlated with the postoperative BCVA(r=0.607,P<0.01). There was no significant correlation between the amplitude of N75-P100 wave before operation and the postoperative BCVA(r=0.237,P>0.05).Consistent rate of FVEP examination was 83.54%, that of PVEP was 66.67%, the difference was statistically significant(χ²=5.11,P<0.05).Consistent rate of FVEP combined with PVEP examination was 90.74%, that of PVEP was 66.67%, the difference was statistically significant(χ²=9.34,P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: By comparision, FVEP is better and more accurate than PVEP in predicting the postoperative visual acuity. Preoperative FVEP together with PVEP examinations can effectively and objectively assess postoperative visual function recovery of senile cataract patients whose corrected visual acuity of the proposed surgical eyes before operation is ≥0.1.