AIM:To discuss clinical significance of comprehensive preoperative pattern visual electrophysiological(PVEP)testing for assessing postoperative visual function in senile cataract patients.

METHODS: During the period of January 2013 to January 2014, 102 cases of senile cataract patients(126 eyes)were treated in our hospital. The detection result of the preoperative PVEP, electroretinogram(PERG), PVEP combined with PERG and postoperative best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)were compared.

RESULTS: Consistent rate of PVEP combined with PERG detection was 91.3%, that of PVEP was 63.5%, the difference was statistically significant(χ²=27.773, P=0.000< 0.05); Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between PVEP findings and postoperative BCVA(r=0.241, P>0.05), and the detection results of PERG combined with PVEP and BCVA after operation were positively correlated(r=0.773, P<0.05); Preoperative PVEP examination was normal accounted for 51.6%, and after operative accounted for 65.1%, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05), preoperative combined detection of PVEP and PERG was normal accounted for 80.9%, after operation was accounted for 84.1%, with no significant difference(P>0.05). The combined method of PVEP and PERG to evaluate the postoperative visual function had good stability.

CONCLUSION: Preoperative PVEP joint PERG examination can effectively and objectively assess postoperative visual function recovery in senile cataract patients.