Functional Correlates Of Autofluorescence And Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging In Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration

Purpose:To investigate the functional correlations of autofluorescence imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods:Twenty-nine consecutive patients with dry AMD underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), blue fundus autofluorescence (FAF), near-infrared autofluorescence (NIA), and spectral-domain (SD)-OCT with integrated microperimetry. Results:A total of 58 eyes were included. Mean BCVA was 0.28±0.3 LogMAR. Overall, 2842 points were analyzed as regards FAF and NIA patterns, the status of inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) interface, and retinal sensitivity. We observed a good correlation between the FAF and NIA patterns for all the points graded (increased FAF/NIA, Pearson’s rho=0.6, p=0.02; decreased FAF/NIA, Pearson’s rho=0.7, p=0.01; normal FAF/NIA, Pearson’s rho=0.7, p=0.01). Mean retinal sensitivity was significantly reduced in case of decreased FAF (4.73±2.23dB), or increased FAF (4.75± 2.39 dB) compared with normal FAF (7.44±2.34dB)(p=0.001). Mean retinal sensitivity was significantly reduced in case of decreased NIA (3.87±2.28dB), compared with increased NIA (5.76±2.44dB)(p=0.02); mean retinal sensitivity in case of increased NIA was significantly reduced compared with normal NIA (7.15±2.38dB)(p=0.002). On SD-OCT, there was a high inverse correlation between retinal sensitivity and rate of disruptions in IS/OS interface (Pearson’s rho = -0.72, p=0.001). Conclusions:In the current series, a reduced retinal sensitivity consistently correlated with decreased FAF/NIA and a disrupted IS/OS interface. Increased NIA may represent a useful method for detection of retinal abnormalities early in dry AMD development.