Microperimetry, fundus autofluorescence, and retinal layer changes in progressing geographic atrophy

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Retinal Diseases

Background:

• Geographic atrophy (GA) is a progressive form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
• Understanding the correlation between functional and structural retinal changes is crucial for predicting GA progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the correlation among microperimetry, inner and outer retinal layers, and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) changes in eyes with progressing GA.
• To evaluate the predictive value of FAF patterns for GA evolution.

Main Methods:

• Microperimetry, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), standard short-wavelength FAF (SW-FAF), and near-infrared-wavelength FAF (NIR-FAF) were performed.
• Analysis included FAF patterns, photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction integrity, and retinal layer thickness changes.

Main Results:

• Retinal sensitivity decreased significantly, while dense scotomas increased.
• Outer retinal layers (ORL) thickness decreased, inversely correlated with inner retinal layers (IRL) thickness increase.
• FAF patterns correlated with retinal thickness and predicted the risk of developing dense scotomas.

Conclusions:

• Retinal sensitivity changes correlate with IRL and ORL thickness and photoreceptor IS/OS junction integrity.
• FAF patterns are relevant for predicting GA evolution.
• Combining microperimetry, FAF, and SD-OCT provides comprehensive morphologic and functional information for GA management.