Retinal sensitivity is a valuable complementary measurement to visual acuity--a microperimetry study in patients with maculopathies.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate changes in macular sensitivity, as measured with microperimetry, among patients with maculopathy and stable visual acuity (VA).


METHODS
Macular sensitivity was assessed using the Spectral OCT/SLO™ microperimetry (OCT/SLO, Optos Plc., Dunfermline, UK) in 25 eyes (16 patients) with maculopathy and stable VA (<5 letters change in ETDRS score) at two consecutive clinic visits. To take the limits of the test-retest repeatability of the OCT/SLO into account, coefficient of repeatability (CoR) was employed to estimate the probability of the sensitivity changes being secondary to measurement noise.


RESULTS
The point sensitivity changes were statistically significant (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P < 0.001). Seventy-seven points (11 %) out of a total of 700 sensitivity points had a genuine sensitivity change, with a mean increase of 8.6 ± 2.6 dB in 35 points and a mean decrease of 7.9 ± 2.2 dB in 42 points.


CONCLUSIONS
Point-to-point change in macular sensitivity can be used as a biomarker of changes in disease activity in patients with maculopathy, and can be more accurate than either mean sensitivity or BCVA in detection of changes in macular function. The measurement variability should be considered when observing the local sensitivity changes.
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.|Visual Science and Optometry Center, People's Hospital of Guanxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China.
Hongting
H
Liu
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Millena G
MG
Bittencourt
Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Jiangxia
J
Wang
Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985540 Nebraska Medical Center, 3902 Leavenworth Street, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
Yasir J
YJ
Sepah
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Mohamed
M
Ibrahim-Ahmed
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Zubir
Z
Rentiya
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Hyun Soo Kevin
HS
Jang
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Ahmadreza
A
Moradi
Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985540 Nebraska Medical Center, 3902 Leavenworth Street, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA. quan.nguyen@unmc.edu.
Quan Dong
QD
Nguyen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*
Macular sensitivity; Maculopathy; Visual acuity