Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate a relationship between the inner segment-outer segment (IS-OS) junctional layer integrity and overlying retinal sensitivity assessed by Spectral SLO-OCT (SD-OCT) and microperimetry (MP) testing.
Methods: :
SD-OCT examination and MP testing were performed in 55 eyes of 43 consecutive patients with AMD. Microperimetry maps were registered onto 3 dimensional retinal topography maps and point-to-point analysis of correlation between microperimetric retinal sensitivities and corresponding status of the underlying IS-OS junctional layer was performed. In addition, the analysis of correlation between the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and with the integrity of IS-OS layer in the center of fovea was also performed.
Results: :
Decreased mean retinal sensitivity was strongly correlated with the integrity of IS-OS layer both in dry and wet forms of AMD (correlation coefficient (r) -0.75, p<0.001 and -0.79, p<0.001, respectively).The correlation between the best corrected visual acuity and the integrity of IS-OS layer in the center of fovea was less significant (r= -0.58, p=0.02 for dry AMD, and r=-0.6, p=0.015 for wet AMD).
Conclusions: :
Retinal sensitivity consistently correlated with the status of underlying IS-OS junctional layer in both dry and wet forms of AMD. Loss of IS-OS layer is significantly associated with decreased retinal sensitivity, assessed by microperimetry. Compared to visual acuity, functional testing with microperimetry appears to more consistently correlate with changes in the outer retina such as IS-OS junctional integrity, especially, in patients with wet AMD.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • visual fields • imaging/image analysis: clinical