Correlation of spectral domain optical coherence tomography characteristics with visual acuity in eyes with subfoveal scarring after treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: Correlating spectral domain optical coherence tomography characteristics with final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in eyes with subfoveal scarring after treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration.
METHODS: Seventy-nine eyes from 64 subjects, who developed subfoveal scarring after treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration, were retrospectively studied. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography characteristics were analyzed, including percentage disruption of inner segment/outer segment junction and external limiting membrane, central macular thickness, subfoveal scar thickness, subretinal scar area, and proximity of retina with intact outer structures to the fovea. A multivariate stepwise regression analysis was performed with the final BCVA logarithm of minimum angle of resolution as a response and the above-identified spectral domain optical coherence tomography variables as predictors.
RESULTS: There was no correlation between the final BCVA and any of the demographic data, treatment modality received, and central macular thickness. The final BCVA was significantly correlated with the percentage of inner segment/outer segment disruption (P = 0.011), external limiting membrane disruption (P = 0.005), and scar area on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (P = 0.018). Multivariate analysis showed that the baseline BCVA and distance between the fovea and nearest retina with intact outer structures are the most predictive of the final BCVA (R(2) = 0.52).
CONCLUSION: Baseline BCVA and integrity of outer retinal structures are good predictors of the final BCVA of wet age-related macular degeneration patients developing scarring after treatment.