Central 10° automated perimetry and contrast sensitivity in patients suffering from exudative macilar degeneration before and after treatment with photodynamic therapy

Purpose: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has recently proved to be very effective in the management of exudative macular degeneration. The aim of this study was short–term evaluation (three and ten weeks) of visual function in patients with exudative macular degeneration subjected to PDT. Methods: 30 patients (12 male and 18 female) with an age range from 56 to 81 years (average age 73.4 +–9.86) were selected and enrolled in the study. The same day of PDT (time 0) the selected patients underwent white on white 10° computerized visual field (Humphrey 750 10/2 full threshold ) and contrast sensitivity examination at spatial frequencies of 2 C/°, 4 C/°, 6C/°, 12 C/° and 18 C/° (CCON (c) 1993–95 TwoDocs, Inc. Version 95). These tests were subsequently repeated after three and ten weeks from PDT. Fluorescein angiography was also carried out at time 0 and repeated after 10 weeks from PDT. Results: After ten weeks from PDT treatment, the mean contrast sensitivity was 60.16 ±17.68, whereas before therapy it was 44.80 ±12.60, with a significant difference of 15.36 dB (p<0.01) and a significance difference the medium–low spatial frequencies (p<0.05) . Mean Defect (MD) and Pattern Standard Deviation (PSD) and the value of the foveal threshold were considered in the visual field . MD and PSD before and after treatment were statistically significant in the tests carried out 3 weeks after PDT while in following tests