Critical flicker-fusion frequency in age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the influence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) on critical flicker-fusion frequency (CFF).


METHODS
CFF was measured centrally for a red, green and blue target, and in 10 degrees excentricity with a red target. Twenty-eight patients with non-exsudative AMD, 12 patients with exsudative AMD and 45 age-matched healthy eyes were included.


RESULTS
CFF decreased in eyes with non-exsudative AMD (red 1.3 Hz, p=0.025; green 1.4 Hz, p=0.053; blue 2.1 Hz, p=0.006) and exsudative AMD (red 2.2 Hz, p=0.02; green 3.3 Hz, p=0.001; blue 2.9 Hz, p=0.02). The difference between central and peripheral CFF increased in non-exsudative AMD (red-red 10 degrees, 0.7 Hz, p=0.024), but was not significantly increased in exsudative AMD (1.3 Hz, p=0.059). There was no difference between eyes with non-exsudative AMD with good visual acuity (VA >20/32, n=18) and healthy eyes, nor between eyes with non-exsudative (n=10) and exsudative AMD (n=9) with VA from 20/100 to 20/40.


CONCLUSIONS
CFF decreased in non-exsudative and exsudative AMD. CFF is not able to distinguish between AMD eyes and healthy eyes of equal visual acuity, and therefore is not applicable as a possible diagnostic test.
Maier
Mathias
M
Augenklinik rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany. M.Maier@lrz.tum.de
Groneberg
Thomas
T
Specht
Holger
H
Lohmann
Chris Patrick
CP
D000368:Aged; D055253:Color Vision / Q000502:physiology; D005425:Flicker Fusion / Q000502:physiology*; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014787:Vision Tests; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology