Early results of computerized glare macular test in diagnosis and evolution of age–related macular degeneration

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Development of a new computerized device based on tufluoximeter use for early diagnosis and screening of age–related macular degeneration (AMD). Our aim was to determine macular recover time after glare test in patients affected by stage 1 of AMD and in healthy patients. Methods: 50 patients (32 women and 18 men, mean age 68.2±7.3 years), affected by stage 1 AMD (group A) underwent glare macular test with the new computerized device. A control group (B) of 45 patients (23 women and 22 men, mean age 69.1±6.5 years) without AMD background underwent the same glare macular test. All the patients received three consecutive enlightment, each during 3 seconds, with a 3 minutes interval. We evaluated macular recover time after each enlightment. Results: In group A recover times were: 105±12 seconds after the first glare, 122±8 seconds after the seconds glare, 132±10 seconds after the third glare. Results of group B were the following: 75±9 seconds after the first glare, 86±11 seconds after the seconds glare, 103±9 seconds after the third glare. (A Student–T test was performed to compare results between the two groups). Conclusions: Retinal metabolism is increased by repeated enlightment and with this test we can discover alteration of retinal pigmented epithelium/photoreceptors. A longer recover time is related to a metabolic defect in early stages of AMD. This test is fast and easy to perform, and it could be useful for screening of AMD in subject with a familiar history of this pathology and for the early diagnosis of AMD itself.

Keywords: age–related macular degeneration • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques • age–related macular degeneration