Frequency doubling technology perimetry in age-related macular degeneration.
BACKGROUND
The role of frequency doubling technology perimetry (FDT) in glaucoma has been promising in terms of speed and simplicity as well as in its high sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional automatic perimetry. In this study, we investigated the possible role of FDT in exudative type age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).


METHODS
FDT using full-threshold C-20 mode was performed in patients with ARMD. The macula was classified into 3 zones by the distance from the fovea center (zone I: central 1 degrees, zone II: central 3 degrees except zone I, zone III: central 5 degrees except zones I & II). The lesion was scored into 3 ranks by the area ratio of involvement in each zone. The retinal scores, visual acuity and disease duration were compared with the FDT scores of the central target, which was graded into 5 ranks according to the probability level of abnormal points on total deviation plots using Spearsman's rank correlation method.


RESULTS
Measurements from 32 eyes (30 patients) with exudative ARMD were collected. The FDT scores of the central target correlated significantly with the lesion scores in zone III (p = 0.033), but not with the lesion scores in central 3 degrees (zone I: p = 0.383, zone II: p = 0.077). Visual acuity was weakly correlated with the FDT scores of the central target (p = 0.022), and the lesion scores in zone III (p = 0.038), but strongly correlated with the lesion scores in zone I and zone II (p < 0.001). The FDT scores of the central target were within normal limit in 20 eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that FDT using full-threshold C-20 mode is not sensitive enough for the detection of small macular lesions in ARMD. Therefore, it might not be a useful functional evaluation in ARMD. Further modification of the central target of FDT is necessary to detect small macular lesions in ARMD.
Sheu
Shwu-Jiuan
SJ
Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC. sjsheu@isca.vghks.gov.tw
Chen
Ying-Ying
YY
Chou
Li-Chen
LC
Wu
Tsung-Tien
TT
Cheng
Kwok-Kei
KK
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014792:Visual Acuity; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014794:Visual Fields