Changes in fundus autofluorescence in patients with age-related maculopathy. Correlation to visual function: a prospective study.
BACKGROUND
As members of the Fundus Autofluorescence in Age-related Macular Degeneration Study Group (FAM Study Group), we report changes of fundus autofluorescence (AF) in patients with multiple soft drusen in correlation to visual function.


METHODS
Inclusion criteria were age >50 years, the presence of soft drusen, visual acuity of 20/100 or better, and no previous laser treatment in the study eye. All patients underwent a detailed ophthalmological examination including ETDRS visual acuity, binocular funduscopy, and color fundus photography. AF imaging was performed with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope following a standard protocol. We used the classification of the International Fundus Autofluorescence Classification Group (IFAG) for the description of the AF patterns.


RESULTS
One hundred and twenty-five patients (81 women, 44 men) aged from 55 to 86 years (mean 70+/-7 years) were included in this prospective study. During follow-up (mean 18+/-6 months), 6 of 35 eyes with patchy AF pattern developed exudative changes, as well as 2 eyes with focal-plaque-like AF pattern and 1 eye with reticular pattern at baseline. Geographic atrophy was seen in two eyes with focal AF pattern and one eye with focal-plaque-like pattern at baseline. A total of 11 eyes presented with severe visual loss (> or = 6 ETDRS lines). Ten (91%) of these had patchy AF pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
Imaging of fundus AF in patients with age-related maculopathy allows identification of different patterns of fundus AF. Our preliminary data suggest that a patchy pattern of AF indicates a relatively high risk of progression to age-related macular degeneration with visual loss.
Einbock
Wilma
W
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 10-14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Moessner
Andreas
A
Schnurrbusch
Ute E K
UE
Holz
Frank G
FG
Wolf
Sebastian
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005453:Fluorescence; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*