title: Analysing the Progression Rates of Macular Lesions with Autofluorescence Imaging Modes in Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study we aimed to compare the sensitivity of blue-light fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and near-infrared autofluorescence (NI-AF) imaging for determining the progression rates of macular lesions in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was designed retrospectively and included patients diagnosed with intermediate and advanced stage dry AMD. Best corrected visual acuities and FAF and NI-AF images were recorded in 46 eyes of 33 patients. Lesion borders were drawn manually on the images using Heidelberg Eye Explorer software and lesion areas were calculated using Microsoft Excel software. BCVA and lesion areas were compared with each other.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients' mean follow-up time was 30.98±13.30 months. The lesion area progression rates were 0.85±0.93 mm2/y in FAF and 0.93±1.01 mm2/y in NI-AF, showing statistically significant correlation with each other (r=0.883; p<0.01). Both imaging methods are moderately correlated with visual acuity impairment (r=0.362; p<0.05 and r=0.311; p<0.05, respectively). In addition, larger lesions showed higher progression rates than smaller ones in both imaging methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NI-AF imaging is as important and effective as FAF imaging for follow-up of dry AMD patients.
authors: Gümüşsuyu Military Hospital, Clinic of Ophthalmology, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors: Kenan
authors: K
authors: Olcay
authors: Gölcük Military Hospital, Clinic of Ophthalmology, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors: Akın
authors: A
authors: Çakır
authors: Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpaşa Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Ophthalmology, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Sönmez
authors: Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpaşa Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Ophthalmology, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors: Eyüp
authors: E
authors: Düzgün
authors: Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpaşa Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Ophthalmology, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors: Yıldıray
authors: Y
authors: Yıldırım
keywords: age-related macular degeneration; blue-light fundus autofluorescence; near-infrared autofluorescence