Time between Symptom Onset and Assessment in Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization

Background: Therapy delay in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NV-AMD) is associated with risk of visual deterioration. Methods: Retrospective cross section analysis including patients with NV-AMD who received fluorescein angiography (FA). The time elapsed from symptom onset to assessment was analysed in relation to different factors. Inclusion criteria were: age >50 years, symptom onset within 6 months before assessment, no previous AMD therapy, indication for vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor treatment. Results: Mean duration of symptoms was 2.272 +/- 1.683 months (n = 220); percentiles 25, 50, 75 and 90 corresponded to 1, 2, 3 and 5.383 months. A significant increase (p = 0.033) in mean symptom duration was found between age groups 65-74, 75-84 and over 84 years. Privately insured persons (assessment 1.242 +/- 1.060 months after symptom onset; n = 14) received FA 1.083 months earlier (p = 0.0089) than patients with a statutory health insurance assessment 2.325 +/- 1.661 months after symptom onset; n = 194). Conclusion: In order to avoid progressive visual deterioration in patients with NV-AMD earlier assessment of these individuals should be aimed for. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel