Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Author Spotlight: Understanding Age-Related Macular Degeneration Pathophysiology with QAF Workflow
Published on: May 26, 2023
Retinal Sensitivity Using Microperimetry in Age-Related Macular Degeneration in an Amish Population
Background And Objectives:
To evaluate retinal sensitivity (RS) by mesopic and scotopic microperimetry (MP-1S) in an elderly Amish population with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Patients And Methods:
Mesopic and scotopic microperimetric testing was performed in 148 eyes of 77 elderly Amish subjects (age > 50 years) from Pennsylvania using a retinal function analyzer. Scotopic testing was performed using a 2.0 log unit neutral density filter following 30 minutes of dark adaptation. All subjects underwent complete ophthalmic examinations, including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, infrared reflectance imaging, and flash color fundus photography. Certified graders at Doheny Image Reading Center identified subjects with evidence of AMD as defined by the Beckman classification and quantified drusen volume. RS in subjects with and without AMD was compared. Correlations between RS and drusen burden were analyzed. Ten eyes with incomplete MP-1S exams were excluded from the final analysis.
Results:
Among the 138 eyes from 77 subjects included in the final analysis, 42 eyes from 29 subjects had evidence of early or intermediate AMD. The mean age of subjects with AMD was 69.65 years ± 13.81 years versus 63.04 years ± 12.69 years in those without AMD (P = .06). Mesopic RS was 18.8 dB ± 2.1 dB in subjects with AMD and 19.6 dB ± 1.4 dB in those without AMD (P = .07). Scotopic RS was significantly lower (P = .04) in subjects with AMD (15.9 dB ± 2.9 dB) compared with those without AMD (17.3 dB ± 2.4 dB). There was no relationship between mesopic RS and either drusen area (r = -0.06; P = .32) or drusen volume (r = -0.08; P = .30). There was a trend for an association between scotopic RS and both drusen area (r = -0.39; P = .24) and drusen volume (r = -0.36; P = .30).
Conclusions:
In an elderly Amish population, eyes with early or intermediate AMD show a greater reduction in scotopic RS than mesopic RS, suggesting that rod function is more severely affected than cone function. Drusen area and volume measurements better correlated with scotopic RS. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:e236-e241.].
Insights
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) significantly reduces scotopic retinal sensitivity (RS) in elderly Amish individuals, indicating greater rod function impairment. Mesopic RS remained largely unaffected, with drusen burden correlating more with scotopic RS.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Imaging
- Vision Science
Background:
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in the elderly.
- Assessing retinal sensitivity (RS) is crucial for understanding AMD progression.
- The Amish population offers a unique cohort for genetic and environmental studies of AMD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate retinal sensitivity (RS) using mesopic and scotopic microperimetry (MP-1S) in an elderly Amish population.
- To compare RS between subjects with and without age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- To analyze the correlation between RS and drusen burden in this population.
Main Methods:
- Mesopic and scotopic microperimetric testing was performed on 138 eyes from 77 elderly Amish subjects.
- Subjects underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, including OCT and fundus imaging.
- AMD status was determined by the Beckman classification, and drusen volume was quantified.
Main Results:
- Scotopic RS was significantly lower in subjects with early or intermediate AMD (15.9 dB) compared to those without AMD (17.3 dB).
- Mesopic RS showed no significant difference between subjects with and without AMD.
- A trend for association was observed between scotopic RS and drusen area/volume.
Conclusions:
- Early to intermediate AMD in the elderly Amish population is associated with a greater reduction in scotopic RS, suggesting impaired rod function.
- Mesopic RS appears less affected, indicating relative cone function preservation.
- Drusen burden measurements showed a better correlation with scotopic RS than mesopic RS.
More Related Videos
10:14Author Spotlight: Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: May 26, 2023
10:24Regenerative Therapy by Suprachoroidal Cell Autograft in Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration: Preliminary In Vivo Report
Published on: February 12, 2018