Correlation between contrast sensitivity and morphological features obtained by OCT in patients with age-related macular degeneration treated with a loading dose of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors

To determine the correlation between contrast sensitivity and morphological characteristics obtained by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration treated with a loading dose of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGF).

This is an ambispective (prospective + retrospective) observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study.

All patients over 55 years of age with Age-Related Macular Degeneration who attended the Retina service of the Ophthalmology department and met the inclusion criteria between March-May 2022.

Data collection was carried out by reviewing the records of patients diagnosed with Age-Related Macular Degeneration of the neovascular variety treated with the loading dose of anti-VEGF. OCT studies obtained by Optovue® iVue80 prior to the application of intravitreal injections of patients who met the inclusion criteria and were currently in the first month after the last dose of anti-VEGF were analyzed. A total of 33 subjects were included, of which 30 continued follow-ups. The subjects underwent a new ophthalmological evaluation and new retinal measurements of the affected eye. Normality tests (Shapiro‒Wilk) were performed where a nonparametric data distribution was demonstrated.

A linear regression analysis was performed comparing the logarithmic values of both visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, obtaining a significant relationship between both values after the application of treatment (P = <.0001***). Likewise, correlation was demonstrated between the decrease in contrast sensitivity values and all the characteristics evaluated in the patients' OCT.

Antiangiogenesis strategies can lead to better results in global visual function, positively impacting contrast sensitivity.