BACKGROUND: Retinal sensitivity over drusen was examined using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope to confirm a previous report of no change in sensitivity over drusen. METHODS: Microperimetry was performed using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope in 23 eyes of 19 subjects. Subject age ranged from 42 to 86 years (mean 68.5 years). Fifty-four drusen bigger than the diameter of a major retinal vein at the optic disc rim were examined, and drusen were classified as soft drusen and other large drusen. RESULTS: Nine eyes of eight subjects showed a decrease in retinal sensitivity over drusen. The decrease in retinal sensitivity was more than 5 dB less than the sensitivity at a peripheral non-drusen area peripheral to the measurement point. The sensitivity decrease was noted over 15 of 29 large drusen and the decrease was statistically significant (P < 0.02). However, no relationship between the size of the drusen and the amount by which sensitivity decreased was found. Nevertheless, a decrease in retinal sensitivity was not seen over any of 25 soft drusen. CONCLUSION: Large drusen may influence retinal sensitivity and function.
BACKGROUND: Retinal sensitivity over drusen was examined using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope to confirm a previous report of no change in sensitivity over drusen. METHODS: Microperimetry was performed using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope in 23 eyes of 19 subjects. Subject age ranged from 42 to 86 years (mean 68.5 years). Fifty-four drusen bigger than the diameter of a major retinal vein at the optic disc rim were examined, and drusen were classified as soft drusen and other large drusen. RESULTS: Nine eyes of eight subjects showed a decrease in retinal sensitivity over drusen. The decrease in retinal sensitivity was more than 5 dB less than the sensitivity at a peripheral non-drusen area peripheral to the measurement point. The sensitivity decrease was noted over 15 of 29 large drusen and the decrease was statistically significant (P < 0.02). However, no relationship between the size of the drusen and the amount by which sensitivity decreased was found. Nevertheless, a decrease in retinal sensitivity was not seen over any of 25 soft drusen. CONCLUSION: Large drusen may influence retinal sensitivity and function.
Authors: Jennifer H Acton; R Theodore Smith; Donald C Hood; Vivienne C Greenstein Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2012-11-09 Impact factor: 4.799
Authors: Jason Flamendorf; Elvira Agrón; Wai T Wong; Darby Thompson; Henry E Wiley; E Lauren Doss; Shaza Al-Holou; Frederick L Ferris; Emily Y Chew; Catherine Cukras Journal: Ophthalmology Date: 2015-08-04 Impact factor: 12.079
Authors: Chi Yun Doreen Ho; Zhichao Wu; Andrew Turpin; David J Lawson; Chi D Luu; Allison M McKendrick; Robyn H Guymer Journal: Transl Vis Sci Technol Date: 2018-03-01 Impact factor: 3.283
Authors: Nicola K Cassels; John M Wild; Tom H Margrain; Chris Blyth; Victor Chong; Jennifer H Acton Journal: Transl Vis Sci Technol Date: 2019-12-31 Impact factor: 3.283