Abstract
Purpose::
We have previously examined both ophthalmologists' and patients' satisfaction with Photodynamic Therapy Treatment (PDT) in relation to objective measures of visual function in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether clinical data (such as lesion size and degree of activity) are correlated with objective and subjective measures of visual function.
Methods::
Thirty participants (51-86 years, visual acuity 20/30-20/900) were recruited following one or more PDT treatments. Fluorescein Angiography (FA) was performed on all patients. Objective tests of visual function (ETDRS, MARS Contrast Sensitivity, Face Acuity, MN Read) were administered. Further objective data included the size (Greatest Linear Dimension) and fluorescein angiographic appearance of the lesion. Additionally, patients completed a questionnaire regarding their subjective self-assessment of visual abilities (VF-14R) and the ophthalmologist completed a brief questionnaire rating the progress of treatment.
Results::
None of the objective or subjective patient measures correlated with the clinical chart information. However, there was a significant correlation between lesion status (degree of activity) and ophthalmologist’s overall rating of treatment progress (r = .61 p < .01). Additionally, lesion status was correlated with the ophthalmologist’s rating of the anatomical success of treatment (r = .57 p< .01 ).
Conclusions::
Clinical chart information does not allow for the prediction of performance on objective tests of visual status or of patients’ subjective evaluation of their visual function. These results suggest that the interpretation of anatomical as well as functional measures must be considered separately.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • visual acuity • photodynamic therapy