Microperimetry and Fundus Photography in Patients with Drusen and/or Age-related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Purpose : The relationship between drusen and pigmentary changes identified in fundus photos and the overlying retinal sensitivity has not been well studied. The purpose of this research was to compare macular drusen and pigment mottling, identified on fundus photos, to microperimetry of the macula conducted via optical coherence tomographer/scanning laser ophthalmoscope (OCT/SLO).

Methods : Patients over the age of 50 who had drusen or were diagnosed with AMD were recruited into the study. Visual acuity was measured with ETDRS charts. Colour fundus photos were taken and subsequently were graded using the Age-related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) grading criteria for AMD. Microperimetry was performed using the Optos OCT/SLO. Microperimetry images were scaled and superimposed over fundus photos.

Results : To date, this ongoing study demonstrates a trend of decreased macular sensitivity over areas of large and/or numerous drusen or pigment mottling. Many participants showed decreased macular sensitivity despite maintaining good visual acuity. Some participants classified as AREDS Category 1 on fundus photos showed microperimetry comparable to those in more advanced AREDS categories.

Conclusions : Retinal areas affected by drusen have decreased sensitivity despite good visual acuity and early AREDS-category placement. Microperimetry may be useful in early detection of AMD or identification of AMD patients who are more likely to advance to later stages. Visual acuity and fundus photos alone may indicate visual function to be better than it actually is. Combining microperimetry with fundus photo information can give clinicians and rehabilitation specialists a more accurate picture of a patient’s functional status.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.