AIM: To evaluate the effects of unilateral compressive optic neuropathy on amplitude and latency of multifocal visual evoked potentials (mfVEPs). METHODS: Static automated perimetry and mfVEP recordings were obtained from six patients with presumed meningiomas affecting one optic nerve. Monocular and interocular amplitude and latency analyses were performed and compared with normal control subjects. RESULTS: The change in the mfVEP amplitude agreed with visual field findings with regard to topography and severity of deviation from normal. The delay in recordable responses from affected eyes ranged from 7.6 to 20.7 ms (interocular analysis) and 7.9 to 13.9 ms (monocular analysis). CONCLUSIONS: Compressive optic neuropathy decreases the amplitude and increases the latency of the mfVEP. The changes in latency were similar to those seen in optic neuritis but larger than those in ischaemic optic neuropathy and glaucoma.