Microperimetry of Subretinal Drusenoid Deposits

Purpose: To investigate light sensitivity in eyes presenting with subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD). Methods: All consecutive patients with SDD only seen between January 2012 and July 2012 were included. A control group of consecutive age- and sex-matched control subjects presenting at least one eye with early age-related macular degeneration was considered. In all cases best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence imaging and spectral-domain-optical coherence tomography with integrated microperimetry were performed. Results: Twenty-one eyes (21 patients, 9 females, 12 males, mean age 69.2 +/- 5.3 years, mean BCVA 0.18 +/- 0.14 LogMAR) were included in the SDD group. Twenty eyes of 20 patients (13 females, 7 males, mean age 69.1 +/- 3.9 years, mean BCVA 0.16 +/- 0.15 LogMAR) were included in the control group. In eyes with SDD the choroid was thinner at the subfoveal location, and at 1,500 mu m superior, inferior, temporal and nasal to the fovea (p < 0.05). In eyes with SDD, the overall mean light sensitivity in the central macula (4.21 +/- 2.46 dB) was significantly reduced when compared to the control group (6.81 +/- 2.12 dB, p = 0.001), while stable fixation was present in both groups. Correlation between BCVA and mean light sensitivity in the central 7 x 7 mm square was low in the SDD group (Pearson's rho = 0.4, p = 0.01), while it was good in the control group (Pearson's rho = 0.7, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Eyes with SDD showed reduced sensitivity despite preserved BCVA. Reduced choroidal thickness could be involved in reduction of light sensitivity. (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel