title: Use of fundus autofluorescence images to predict geographic atrophy progression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fundus autofluorescence imaging has been shown to be helpful in predicting progression of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration. We assess the ability of fundus autofluorescence imaging to predict rate of GA progression using a simple categorical scheme.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects with GA secondary to age-related macular degeneration with fundus autofluorescence imaging acquired at least 12 months apart were included. Rim area focal hyperautofluorescence was defined as percentage of the 500-μm-wide margin bordering the GA that contained increased autofluorescence. Rim area focal hyperautofluorescence on baseline fundus autofluorescence images was assessed and categorized depending on the extent of rim area focal hyperautofluorescence (Category 1: ≤33%; Category 2: between 33 and 67%; Category 3: ≥67%). Total GA areas at baseline and follow-up were measured to calculate change in GA progression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-five eyes of 45 subjects were included; average duration of follow-up was 18.5 months. Median growth rates differed among categories of baseline rim area focal hyperautofluorescence (P = 0.01 among Categories 1, 2, and 3; P = 0.008 for Category 1 compared with Category 3, Jonckheere-Terpstra test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A simple categorical scheme that stratifies the amount of increased autofluorescence in the 500-μm margin bordering GA may be used to differentiate faster and slower progressors.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Eye Center, Durham, NC, USA. sb3179@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Srilaxmi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bearelly
authors.forename: Aziz A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khanifar
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Lederer
authors.forename: Jane J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jason H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ghodasra
authors.forename: Sandra S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Stinnett
authors.forename: Scott W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cousins
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D005453:Fluorescence; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D057092:Geographic Atrophy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013997:Time Factors