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Visual acuity and structural findings in old age-related macular degeneration

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Abstract

Background

Although exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leads to a substantial visual loss in most patients there is still significant variation in the end- stage visual acuity level. We analysed lesions in eyes with long-standing AMD in order to find contributing factors for this variation.

Methods

Sixty-one out of 121 patients examined for exudative AMD and still alive 4.8–9.2 (mean 6.8) years after the acute phase were re-examined. The lesion size, area of subretinal fibrosis, geographic atrophy, presence of a persistent exudative process, and shortest distance to normal looking retina were measured from digital fundus photographs taken at the re-examination and correlated with visual acuity.

Results

Lesion size, the presence of a continuing exudative process, or subretinal fibrosis were independent predictors for poor vision. Better vision in the other eye was connected with poor vision in the affected study eye.

Conclusions

In addition to lesion size, the presence of a continuing exudative process and subretinal fibrosis also have deleterious effects on long-term visual acuity after exudative AMD.

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Acknowledgements

Supported by the Mary ja Georg C. Ehrnrooth, Paulo, Silmä- ja kudospankki- and Sokeain Ystävät Foundations, Helsinki, Finland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 4 C, FIN-00029 JP 220, Helsinki, Finland

    Aila Riusala & Ilkka Immonen

  2. Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, PO Box 41, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland

    Seppo Sarna

Authors
  1. Aila Riusala
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  2. Seppo Sarna
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  3. Ilkka Immonen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ilkka Immonen.

Additional information

Aila Riusala and Ilkka Immonen have full control of all primary data. They agree to allow Graefe’s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology to review the data if requested.

The research was supported by grants to Aila Riusala from the Mary ja Georg C. Ehrnrooth, Paulo, Silmä- ja kudospankki- and Sokeain Ystävät Foundations, Helsinki, Finland and research funds of the Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.

No proprietary or commercial interests were involved.

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Riusala, A., Sarna, S. & Immonen, I. Visual acuity and structural findings in old age-related macular degeneration. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 243, 947–950 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-005-1161-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-005-1161-6

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