Temporal resolution deficits in the visual fields of MS patients

We assessed the relationship between temporal resolution and MS-induced neu ropathy. A diagnostic strategy comprising assessments of temporal resolutio n at 16 points in the extra-foveal visual field up to 12 degrees from the f ovea was first compared with foveal temporal resolution and with a standard VEP procedure in the same MS patients. At the group level, foveal temporal resolution was less sensitive to demyelination than the 16-point diagnosti c strategy, the detection rate of which was comparable to that of the VEP p rocedure. Cross-sensitivity of the VEP and the 16-point diagnostic procedur e was low. Subsequently, the average severity of MS-induced temporal resolu tion deficits was studied at three retinal loci of the same size but differ ent eccentricities. Foveal deficits were not significantly greater than mor e peripheral deficits within the central 12 degrees. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All rights reserved.