Abstract
Purpose:
To assess the patient-reported vision related function in subjects with pattern dystrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, and its correlation with visual acuity (VA) in the better-seeing eye.
Methods:
Patients with ICD-9 codes for AMD or retinal dystrophies (362.51, 362.52, 362.70, 362.74, and 362.76) of two retina specialists (SBB, NMB) at a university-based clinic from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed to identify those with a pattern dystrophy of the RPE as confirmed by fundus photographs and, when available, fluorescein angiograms, evaluated by two retina specialists (VC, NMB) and subsequently invited to participate following informed consent approved by an institutional review board. Participants were interviewed by phone using the NEI VFQ-25 questionnaire. Visual acuity with correction of the better-seeing eye was based on the clinic visit closest to an interview date. Analysis included Pearson correlations.
Results:
1092 patient records were reviewed, among which 86 had a diagnosis of pattern dystrophy of the RPE. Subsequent review confirmed pattern dystrophy in 81 patients; 2 others had poor image quality; 3 others had co-existing vitreomacular interface abnormalities. All 81 were contacted by phone and 48 agreed to participate, among whom image review confirmed the presence of pattern dystrophy with no large drusen (pattern dystrophy and no AMD) in 38. Of these 38 subjects, the median age was 71 years (interquartile range [IQR] 61 years to 78 years) and 66% were women. The mean (±SD) NEI VFQ-25 composite score, near activity subscale score, and distant activity subscale score were 80.0 (16.1), 75.8 (20.9), and 79.9 (19.4), respectively. The median VA of the better-seeing eye was 20/25 (IQR 20/20 to 20/40). The correlation of the VA of better-seeing eye and the NEI VFQ-25 composite score, near activity subscale score, and distant activity subscale score were -0.69 (P<.001), -0.71 (P<.001), and -0.66 (P<.001), respectively.
Conclusions:
The average patient reported vision-related function in subjects with pattern dystrophy of the RPE and no AMD appears to be in between average values reported for patients with neovascular AMD and those with large drusen but no neovascular AMD and appears to correlate with the better-seeing eye. These findings may help plan clinical trials for pattern dystrophies.
Keywords: 669 quality of life •
696 retinal degenerations: hereditary