Multifocal electroretinography as a predictor of maintenance of vision after photodynamic therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) in predicting the outcome of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
Participants underwent refraction protocol VA assessment using the ETDRS logMAR chart at 1 m, Contrast Sensitivity (CS) using the Pelli-Robson chart at 1 m, fundus fluorescein angiography (FA) and mfERGs in response to 19 segments. Response to PDT was binary (1 = the loss of less than 15 letters at 12 months, 0 = the loss of 15 letters or more) and was used as the dependent variable for logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Logistic regression modelling identified mfERG central segment amplitude, lesion size on FA, VA and CS as predictors of outcome (P = 0.05, 0.02, 0.01, 0.03). The model is stable and has excellent discriminability.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcomes of this study are particularly relevant to patients in the UK who are sometimes treated with PDT alone. A larger prospective study would facilitate development of an index to predict outcome of future treatments for AMD.
Mackay
Alison M
AM
Department of Clinical Engineering, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK. alison.mackay70@ntlworld.com
Brown
Malcolm C
MC
Grierson
Ian
I
Harding
Simon P
SP
D000368:Aged; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents