Visual electrophysiological testing can provide valuable information for the ophthalmologist in a wide variety of cases. It is of use in the confirmation of diagnosis for patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of neurological or ophthalmological disease. It helps to inform the paediatric clinician in the assessment of a young child with apparent poor vision and the ophthalmologist dealing with unexplained visual loss in children and adults. This is useful in medicolegal cases and those with psychiatric implication. There is a clinical role for electrophysiological testing in cases of inherited visual disorder and for those patients taking medication that is neuro- or retinotoxic. 

This paper aims to explain the underlying principles of a range of tests used in visual electrophysiology, the recording techniques and their role in diagnosis and management.