What is a characteristic limitation of VEPs in detecting visual deficits?

The limitation of Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs) in detecting visual deficits primarily relates to their sensitivity for central processing lesions. VEPs are primarily designed to assess the electrical activity of the visual pathways from the retina to the occipital cortex in response to visual stimuli. While they can reveal abnormalities in the pathways, they may not be sensitive enough to detect subtle lesions or dysfunctions at the central processing level of the visual system.

In cases of central processing lesions, the visual stimuli may still evoke a response measured by VEPs, but the actual perceptual deficits experienced by the patient may not be reflected in these measurements. This leads to an underestimation of visual dysfunction that might be present. Patients with central lesions might report visual issues that VEPs do not capture, making it essential to combine them with other assessments to gain a comprehensive understanding of a patient’s visual health.

The other options refer to different aspects of visual function but do not pinpoint this key limitation regarding central processing. While VEPs may not assess eye movement accuracy, measure only retinal function, or be limited strictly to testing light sensitivity, these do not encapsulate the broader impact of central lesions overlooked by the VEP methodology.