Abstract
Purpose:
To determine whether baseline functional and anatomical features can predict the conversion to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the fellow eye of patients receiving anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular AMD.
Methods:
In total, 50 patients with neovascular AMD in one eye receiving anti-VEGF treatment were included in the study. The fellow eye has to have good vision (better than 20/40) and was able to perform all the functional and anatomical tests. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), retinal sensitivity and fixation stability measured by microperimetry (Nidek MP1), fundus photography, the central subfield thickness (CST) and infra-red imaging obtained by the Heidelberg Spectralis were performed. The drusen area in the central retina was measured by customised software, and the presence of reticular pseudo-drusen was assessed on infra-red imaging. Statistical analysis was performed with Student t-test and Fisher Exact test.The study was approved by local ethical committee.
Results:
In total, 43 patients has completed the 5 year follow up, 14 (32%) of the study eye has developed neovascular AMD during the follow up. The average age on entry to the study was 74.7 years. There were no significant difference in the age, sex, baseline CST, BCVA, drusen area and fixation stability between those who had developed neovascular AMD as compared those who did not. However, there is a trend that those who converted was more likely but not statistical significant to have poorer retinal sensitivity,10.5 db vs 8.9 db (p=0.1) and more likely to have reticular pseudodrusen 20.7% vs 42.9% (p=0.1).
Conclusions:
In this pilot study, the conversion rate was comparable to previously reported. Retinal sensitivity and the presence of reticular pseudodrusen might worth to be studied in a larger cohort.