Contrast Sensitivity Following Macular Translocation With 360° Retinotomy for Neovascular Age–Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To report the changes of contrast sensitivity (CS) and their correlation with visual acuity (VA) following macular translocation with 360° retinotomy (MT–360°) in patients with neovascular age–related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: This prospective study consists of 21 patients (21 eyes) who underwent MT–360° for neovascular AMD with a follow–up of at least 12 months. All patients had a subfoveal CNV lesion. VA and CS examination was performed at baseline and 3–month intervals. CS was measured with Pelli–Robson charts and VA was determined to a standardized protocol with the Early Diabetic Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy (EDTRS) chart. An intent–to–treat analysis was used. Spearman correlation and kappa coefficient were calculated. The time–to–event analyses of time to functional loss (6 or 15 letters) were performed using the Kaplan–Maier method. Results: At baseline, mean CS was 22.7±5.6 letters and mean VA was 34.5±11.1 letters. Spearman correlation coefficient (r_s) between CS and VA was 0.49 (p=0.05) at baseline and 0.71 (p=0.001) after 12 months. CS decreased at 3 months with 15.9±9.1 letters (also with exclusion of 4 patients with silicone oil–filling: 18.0±6.5 letters). No correlation between CS and VA (r_s=0.24) was found at the 3–month interval. Mean reduction of CS after 12 months was 1.6±8.1 letters, while the mean VA improved 2.2 ±18.3 letters. Agreement between CS and VA change was moderate for the 12 months–interval (r_s=0.55 p=0.02). Conclusions: In the presented study, a marked deterioration of CS in patients 3 months after MT–360° was seen. No correlation between CS and VA change was found during this period. The effects of MT–360° on CS may differ from VA changes in a considerable extent.

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