Morpho-functional analysis of Stargardt Disease for reading

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Genetics

Background:

• Stargardt disease (STGD) is a leading inherited macular dystrophy.
• Visual impairment in STGD significantly impacts reading ability.
• Understanding the morpho-functional correlates of visual function is crucial for rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze STGD using morpho-functional examination.
• To investigate the relationship between morpho-functional measures and reading performance in STGD patients.

Main Methods:

• Observational case series study involving 15 STGD patients (26 eyes).
• Comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation including spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and microperimetry.
• Overlapping OCT/FAF imaging with microperimetry to assess features in the eccentric fixation area.
• Correlation analysis between morphologic and functional data with reading performance and magnification.

Main Results:

• Significant correlation found between magnification power and the greatest linear dimension of OCT and FAF.
• Magnification power was related to best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).
• Retinal sensitivity map served as an indicator of reading rate.
• Magnification levels positively correlated with eccentric preferred retinal location and the degree of FAF alteration.

Conclusions:

• Residual activity of outer retinal layers in the eccentric fixation area, assessed via OCT/FAF overlap on microperimetry, relates to required magnification and reading rate.
• Identifying morpho-functional parameters aids in designing personalized rehabilitative programs for STGD patients.