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Critical flicker-fusion frequency in age-related macular degeneration

  • Neuro-ophthalmology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

To assess the influence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) on critical flicker-fusion frequency (CFF).

Methods

CFF was measured centrally for a red, green and blue target, and in 10° excentricity with a red target. Twenty-eight patients with non-exsudative AMD, 12 patients with exsudative AMD and 45 age-matched healthy eyes were included.

Results

CFF decreased in eyes with non-exsudative AMD (red 1.3 Hz, p = 0.025; green 1.4 Hz, p = 0.053; blue 2.1 Hz, p = 0.006) and exsudative AMD (red 2.2 Hz, p = 0.02; green 3.3 Hz, p = 0.001; blue 2.9 Hz, p = 0.02). The difference between central and peripheral CFF increased in non-exsudative AMD (red–red 10°, 0.7 Hz, p = 0.024), but was not significantly increased in exsudative AMD (1.3 Hz, p = 0.059). There was no difference between eyes with non-exsudative AMD with good visual acuity (VA >20/32, n = 18) and healthy eyes, nor between eyes with non-exsudative (n = 10) and exsudative AMD (n = 9) with VA from 20/100 to 20/40.

Conclusions

CFF decreased in non-exsudative and exsudative AMD. CFF is not able to distinguish between AMD eyes and healthy eyes of equal visual acuity, and therefore is not applicable as a possible diagnostic test.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Augenklinik rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany

    Mathias Maier, Thomas Groneberg & Chris Patrick Lohmann

  2. FH Stralsund, Stralsund, Germany

    Holger Specht

Authors
  1. Mathias Maier
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  2. Thomas Groneberg
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  3. Holger Specht
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  4. Chris Patrick Lohmann
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mathias Maier.

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All authors concur with the submission.

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Maier, M., Groneberg, T., Specht, H. et al. Critical flicker-fusion frequency in age-related macular degeneration. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 248, 409–413 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-009-1270-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-009-1270-8

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