Forensic Application of Objective Assessment on Visual Acuity by ERP

Abstract

Objective To explore the composition characteristic of event related potential （ERP） in different visual acuity levels, and to provide theoretical basis for the objective assessment of visual acuity. Methods Monocular stimulus was performed on 16 selected subjects. The subjects were required to look straight at the screen ahead and count the amount of stimuli from different directions. The pictures of optotype stimulus which corresponding to three different visual acuity levels were showed in the center of the screen. The ERP results were recorded separately. Results （1） The P1 amplitudes of match stimuli recorded under the supra-threshold visual acuity level were higher than that of match stimuli recorded under the threshold and sub-threshold visual acuity levels. There was no significant difference between the P1 amplitudes of match stimuli recorded under the threshold and sub-threshold visual acuity levels. The tendency of conflict stimuli was similar to that of match stimuli under three visual acuity levels. （2） In the 340-500 ms post-stimulus range, P300 component was found under supra-threshold and threshold visual acuity levels; no P300 component was found in corresponding time window under sub-threshold visual acuity. The differences of P300 amplitudes among three visual acuity levels were statistically significant. The amplitudes from high to low were the supra-threshold, threshold and sub-threshold visual acuity levels. Conclusion ERP can be a potential new method for the objective assessment of visual acuity in forensic medicine.

Keywords

• forensic medicine; event-related potentials; visual acuity; p1; p300