ABSTRACT

Aim:

To evaluate the microperimetry (MP) findings in occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Methods:

After a detailed ophthalmological examination, all cases were evaluated by fun-dus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT, Stratus-OCT, Zeiss) and MP (MP1 Microperimeter, Nidek). Mean macular Ihickness were detected by OCT. Mean macular sensitivity (MS) and mean defect (MD) were determined by microperimetry. Fixation patterns and fixation localizations were also assessed by microperimetry. The correlation between OCT and MP findings were analyzed by Spearman correlation test.

Results:

Fourteen eyes of 11 patients with a mean age of 72.7±6.8 years diagnosed as oc-cult CNV were involved in the study. Mean visual acuity was 0.5±0.1 and mean macular thick-ness was 274.0±69.5 ^m by OCT. Mean MS and MD were 9.4±3.7dB and -9.3±3.2dB respecti-vely by microperimetry. Fixation was stable in 3 eyes whereas in 4 eyes relatively unstable fixa-tion and in 7 eyes unstable fixation were demonstrasted. Fixation localization was predomi-nantly central in 4 eyes, predominantly eccentric in 6 eyes and poorly central in 4 eyes. A statis-tically significant and negative correlation between mean macular thickness, MD and MS (p= 0.059 and p=0.032 respectively) was detected.

Discussion:

Microperimetry is a safe, rapid and non-invasive diagnostic tool for assess-ment of retinal sensitivity. When eyes having occult CNV are assessed by microperimetry, a decrease in macular sensitivity may be detected correlated with OCT findings, even in the presence of a preserved visual acuity. Additonally, eccentric fixation may develop in occult CNV prior to remarkable reduction in visual acuity.