Variation in Measures of Visual Function in Patients With Neovascular Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Purpose: : To determine the variability in three different measurements of vision (distance DV, near NV, contrast sensitivity CS) in patients presenting with neovascular macular degeneration (nMD) and compared with age.

Methods: : Patients presenting with nMD were recruited in a regional centre. Refraction protocol best-corrected DV, NV and CS were measured by accredited testers using 2m logMAR, 25cm logMAR and 1m Pelli-Robson charts respectively using standardised illumination. The visual parameters (DV, NV, CS) of the index eye were analyzed versus age.

Results: : Patients were recruited between November 1999 to October 2006. 900 eyes had DV and CS recorded; a subset of which (437) had NV documented. Median DV, NV and CS were 47 letters, 1.00 logMAR and 23 letters respectively. 25^th to 75^th percentile for DV was 37-58 letters, for NV was 0.7-1.3 logMAR and for CS was 18-27 letters.| r | = 0.15 (p<0.01) for DV, | r | =0.10 (p<0.05) for NV and | r | = 0.18 (p<0.01) for CS. Regression analysis showed a highly significant weak negative correlation of all three visual parameters versus age at presentation, i.e. DV, NV and CS.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • visual acuity • contrast sensitivity