Abstract
Purpose: :
To examine the relationship between visual function and angiographic and OCT measured parameters following treatment by photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in subfoveal neovascularisation (CNV) due to age related macular degeneration (AMD).
Methods: :
Standardised measures of vision (ETDRS logMAR distance acuity, near word reading acuity and contrast sensitivity) were obtained on 65 patients who were treated with PDT for a CNV related to AMD. The angiographic parameters that were measured included total area of the lesion and the greatest linear diameter (GLD). Leakage was quantified on a 4 step graded categorical scale ranging 0 to 3. OCT measurements included CNV thickness, foveal thickness and distance of CNV to the fovea. The CNV morphology was graded using OCT as fusiform or protruding. Regression analysis was used to examine relationships between measures of vision and angiographic and OCT characteristics.
Results: :
The model explaining most of the variation in distance visual acuity included angiographic changes in area of the lesion, greatest linear diameter (adjusted r2 = 0.46), and the OCT parameter of membrane thickness. For near visual acuity (adjusted r2 = 0.41) the model included angiographic changes in area of the lesion, GLD, and leakage. The model for contrast sensitivity included only the GLD as the sole explanatory variable.
Conclusions: :
Angiographic and OCT measured parameters together provide better information on visual outcomes following PDT.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • visual acuity