Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To investigate the correlation between visual function assessed by short-wavelength automated perimetry and retrobulbar flow velocities assessed with Color Doppler Imaging (CDI) in patients with age-related maculopathy (ARM). Methods: In a prospective study 37 patients with ARM (mean age: 74 ± 7 years, mean visual acuity: 0.67) were included. Short-wavelength automated perimetry was performed in the central 10°- field with a conventional perimeter (Humphrey field analyzer, prg. 10-2). In the ophthalmic artery (OA), nasal and temporal short ciliary arteries (PCA), and central retinal artery (CRA) flow velocities (peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities) and resistive indices were measured with Color Doppler Imaging (Siemens Sonoline Sienna). Results: The resistive index of the CRA was significantly correlated with the mean short-wavelength sensitivity (r = -0.42, p = 0.008). All other parameters were not correlated to mean sensitivity. Conclusions: Decreased short-wavelength sensitivity is known to be a functional risk factor for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study we found a correlation of downstream resistance of the central artery and visual function already in ARM. These results suggest the possible impact of disturbed ocular microcirculation in the pathogenesis of AMD.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • blood supply • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: ris