MULTIMODAL VISUAL FUNCTION TESTING IN EYES WITH NONEXUDATIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the interactions among drusen type and multimodal vision testing in eyes with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration.


METHODS
Fifty-one eyes of 39 patients with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration underwent fundus imaging including spectral domain optical coherence tomography, color fundus photograph, and autofluorescence imaging, each of which was graded by 2 masked readers. Multimodal vision testing included visual acuity using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol refraction, contrast sensitivity, and microperimetry.


RESULTS
Generalized estimating equation modeling showed that the significant predictors of contrast sensitivity was the presence of pseudodrusen (P = 0.012) and refractive error (P = 0.028). The presence of pseudodrusen inversely correlated with contrast sensitivity. The significant predictors of parafoveal microperimetry score were area of confluent hypoautofluorescence (P = 0.026) and the presence of pseudodrusen (P = 0.027). Both of them showed an inverse correlation with microperimetry score. The only significant predictor of macular microperimetry score was the presence of pseudodrusen (P = 0.004), which showed an inverse correlation with microperimetry score.


CONCLUSIONS
The analysis of predictors of the visual function highlights the importance of pseudodrusen. Pseudodrusen are not only the risk factor of late age-related macular degeneration but also affect visual function. Recognition of this problem is important for low-vision rehabilitation and therapeutic strategies for late age-related macular degeneration.
*Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York, New York, New York; and †The LuEsther T. Mertz Retinal Research Center, Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, New York, New York.
Sotaro
S
Ooto
Mihoko
M
Suzuki
Sritatath
S
Vongkulsiri
Taku
T
Sato
Richard F
RF
Spaide
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D057092:Geographic Atrophy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D010781:Photography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D015593:Retinal Drusen / Q000503:physiopathology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014787:Vision Tests; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D058609:Visual Field Tests