Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

Which combination of stimuli is used during Visual Evoked Potential testing?

1. Bright light, flickering stars, and colored patterns

2. Flashing light, alternating checkerboard pattern, and moving sinusoidal grating

3. Static images, rapid color changes, and shadows

4. Continuous light, grid patterns, and static dots

The correct answer is: Flashing light, alternating checkerboard pattern, and moving sinusoidal grating

Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) testing measures the electrical activity in the brain in response to visual stimuli, allowing the assessment of the functional integrity of the visual pathways. The combination of stimuli used during VEP testing is crucial for obtaining accurate and reliable results. The correct option involves flashing light, alternating checkerboard pattern, and moving sinusoidal grating. Flashing lights and patterned stimuli like an alternating checkerboard are effective in eliciting responses from the visual cortex because they provide rapidly changing visual information that can be easily interpreted by the visual system. The moving sinusoidal grating is particularly valuable as it assesses contrast sensitivity and spatial frequency processing, which are critical components of visual perception. These types of stimuli can generate robust visual evoked potentials, as they create distinct neural responses that can be measured with electrodes placed on the scalp. The patterns are designed to engage various aspects of visual processing, including spatial awareness and temporal dynamics, making them ideal for evaluating the function of visual pathways. In contrast, the other options include stimuli that are less effective for this specific testing purpose. Static images or continuous light may not produce the necessary changes in electrical response required for accurate VEP readings. Rapid color changes and shadows, while visually interesting, also fail to provide the temporal