Visual results with low-vision aids in age-related macular degeneration

We reviewed the records of 61 patients with age-related macular degeneration who had an exudative or a dry macular scar and who had received low-vision rehabilitation. Exudative scars resulted from the natural course of sub-retinal new vessels, and dry scars from successful photocoagulation to the new vessels. Low-vision aids consisted of high-power positive lenses. Eyes were divided into three groups according to their distance visual acuity before using low-vision aids: Group 1, 20/100; Group 2, 20/200 to 20/300; and Group 3, 20/400 or poorer. The print size resolution on the Rosenbaum pocket vision screener and power of the low-vision aid in each group were compared for the eyes having exudative scars and those with dry photocoagulation scars. In Groups 2 and 3, eyes with dry macular scars reached a similar resolution of print size but with significantly (P less than .01) lower-power visual aids than eyes with exudative macular scars. In Group 1, eyes with dry macular scars achieved a better print size resolution using significantly (P less than .01) lower-power visual aids than eyes with exudative scars.