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Retinal sensitivity is a valuable complementary measurement to visual acuity — a microperimetry study in patients with maculopathies

  • Retinal Disorders
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

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.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the valuable advice of Professor James Loughman, Optometry Department, Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland, for his assistance in appropriately interpreting the coefficient of repeatability.

Financial disclosure(s)

The Johns Hopkins University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center have received research support from Optos, Inc. Optos had no role in the design or conduct of this research. The study was supported by a Wilmer Research Grant Award (HL) and Research to Prevent Blindness (QDN). Dr. Nguyen serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for Optos, Inc.

Conflict of interest

No conflicting relationship exists for any author.

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Correspondence to Quan Dong Nguyen.

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Liu, H., Bittencourt, M.G., Wang, J. et al. Retinal sensitivity is a valuable complementary measurement to visual acuity — a microperimetry study in patients with maculopathies. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 253, 2137–2142 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-015-2974-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-015-2974-6

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