Reliability, normative data, and the effect of age-related macular disease on the Eger Macular Stressometer photostress recovery time.
OBJECTIVE
To assess repeatability and reproducibility, to determine normative data, and to investigate the effect of age-related macular disease, compared with normals, on photostress recovery time measured using the Eger Macular Stressometer (EMS).


METHODS
The study population comprised 49 healthy eyes of 49 participants. Four EMS measurements were taken in two sessions separated by 1 h by two practitioners, with reversal of order in the second session. EMS readings were also taken from 17 age-related maculopathy (ARM), and 12 age-related macular degeneration (AMD), affected eyes.


RESULTS
EMS readings are repeatable to within +/-7 s. There is a statistically significant difference between controls and ARM affected eyes (t = 2.169, p = 0.045), and AMD affected eyes (t = 2.817, p = 0.016). The EMS is highly specific, and demonstrates sensitivity of 29% for ARM, and 50% for AMD.


CONCLUSIONS
The EMS may be a useful screening test for ARM, however, direct illumination of the macula of greater intensity and longer duration may yield less variable results.
Bartlett
Hannah
H
Neurosciences Research Institute, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK. bartlehe@aston.ac.uk
Davies
Leon N
LN
Eperjesi
Frank
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity