Microperimetry in age: related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the major causes of visual loss and legal blindness in people over 55. Visual function tests are the cornerstone of visual function investigation and any therapeutic approach to AMD implies, as primary endpoint, the maintenance or improvement of visual function. The progression of visual impairment and the quantification of final residual visual function are currently determined by means of visual acuity quantification. The quantification of high-contrast visual acuity though has many drawbacks and cannot be considered a complete functional examination. Microperimetry is a non-invasive method used to analyse fixation and central visual field defects in a topographic related manner. The introduction of mesopic and more recently scotopic microperimetry, in research and clinical practice of macular disorders, now allows us to better investigate macular function as it strictly relates to macular morphology. We therefore can monitor the functional natural history and quantify the beneficial or detrimental effects of different therapies. The application of microperimetry in clinical studies has provided interesting diagnostic and prognostic information on functional macular changes in AMD patients. The present review brings new updates on the correlation between macular changes, mainly described with optical coherence tomography, and microperimetry changes in patients with AMD.