Abstract
· Background: Retinal sensitivity over drusen was examined using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope to confirm a previous report of no change in sensitivity over drusen. · Methods: Microperimetry was performed using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope in 23 eyes of 19 subjects. Subject age ranged from 42 to 86 years (mean 68.5 years). Fifty-four drusen bigger than the diameter of a major retinal vein at the optic disc rim were examined, and drusen were classified as soft drusen and other large drusen. · Results: Nine eyes of eight subjects showed a decrease in retinal sensitivity over drusen. The decrease in retinal sensitivity was more than 5 dB less than the sensitivity at a peripheral non-drusen area peripheral to the measurement point. The sensitivity decrease was noted over 15 of 29 large drusen and the decrease was statistically significant (P<0.02). However, no relationship between the size of the drusen and the amount by which sensitivity decreased was found. Nevertheless, a decrease in retinal sensitivity was not seen over any of 25 soft drusen. · Conclusion: Large drusen may influence retinal sensitivity and function.
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Received: 20 February 1997 Revision version received: 20 June 1997 Accepted: 5 August 1997
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Takamine, Y., Shiraki, K., Moriwaki, M. et al. Retinal sensitivity measurement over drusen using scanning laser ophthalmoscope microperimetry. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 236, 285–290 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004170050079
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004170050079