Longitudinal spatial correlation of retinal sensitivity and structural changes in macular telangiectasia type 2

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Imaging
• Visual Electrophysiology

Background:

• Macular Telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) is a degenerative retinal disease.
• Assessing structural and functional changes in MacTel is crucial for monitoring disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the spatial correlation between retinal structure and function in MacTel using Compass fundus-tracked microperimetry.
• To evaluate the utility of microperimetry for early disease detection in MacTel.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 54 eyes from 28 MacTel patients.
• Analysis of retinal sensitivity (using nine macular sectors) and structural parameters (retinal thickness, ellipsoid zone integrity, visual acuity).
• Evaluation of changes over a 2-year follow-up period.

Main Results:

• Mean central retinal thickness was 254.3 ± 103.7 μm; mean central retinal sensitivity was 28.9 ± 5.4 dB.
• Microscotomas (<10 dB) were found in 18.5% of eyes, mainly in the temporal macula.
• Significant decline in central mean retinal sensitivity (p=0.038) observed over two years, despite stable visual acuity and retinal thickness.

Conclusions:

• Compass microperimetry can detect subtle longitudinal functional decline in MacTel.
• Microperimetry may serve as a complementary functional biomarker for early MacTel monitoring.
• Spatial correlation between microscotomas and ellipsoid zone loss was observed, with occasional pointwise mismatch.