Aim: The normal visual evoked potential (VEP) reflects the functional
integrity of the visual pathways from retinal to occipital striate
area. Visual reseptors are sensitive to hypoxemia. Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease, in which hypoxemia
occurs due to ventilation-perfusion imbalance. We aimed to evaluate the
effects of COPD on VEPs. Methods: Thirty eight COPD patients and 17
healthy control subjects were accepted to the study. Pulmonary function
tests were performed to all the participants. VEP of all participants
were recorded. Results: P1 (P100) values of both right and left eyes
(p=0.008 and p=0.010, respectively) and N2 value of right eye (p=0.030)
were significantly higher in COPD patients than the control group. As
there was just 1 female COPD patient, the measurements were
re-evaluated for just male subjects. P1 values of both right and left
eyes were significantly higher in male COPD patients than male control
subjects (p=0.031 and p=0.023, respectively). Conclusion: VEPs,
particularly P1 value, alters in COPD patients. This change in VEPs was
thought to be due to hypoxemia caused by ventilation-perfusion
imbalance in COPD