Cortical potentials evoked by total retinal flash, macular flash and pattern reversal stimulation were compared in 15 patients with optic neuritis. Visually evoked cortical potentials (VECP) after macular flash and to pattern stimulation were impaired to a similar degree in the acute stage; pattern stimulation was more sensitive in the recovery period. VECP after total retinal flash stimulation were much less disturbed in both stages. The pattern responses had pathological phase shifts in all affected eyes and very often also in the fellow eye, not only in the acute stage but also in the recovery period.