Changes in visual function and thickness of macula after photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration

To determine the correlation between the changes in the central retinal sensitivity and the changes in the foveal thickness (FT) after photodynamic therapy (PDT) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Nineteen eyes of 19 patients with choroidal neovasularizations (CNVs) secondary to AMD were studied. The pretreatment values of the central retinal sensitivity determined by Micro Perimeter 1 (MP1; Nidek Technologies), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and optical coherence tomography (OCT)-determined FT were compared to the postoperative values at three and six months after PDT.

At six months, the retinal sensitivity within the central 10 degrees was significantly improved (P = 0.02) and the FT was significantly thinner (P = 0.016). The BCVA, however, did not change significantly (P = 0.80). The changes in the retinal sensitivities were significantly correlated with the changes in the decrease in the FT (r = - 0.59, P = 0.012 within the central 10 degrees ) at six months after PDT.

Significant improvements in retinal sensitivities within the central 10 degrees and a decrease in FT were observed even though the BCVA was not significantly improved. The measurement of retinal sensitivity by MP1 may be a better method to assess central visual function than the conventional visual acuity after PDT.