Role of Flicker Perimetry in Predicting Onset of Late-Stage Age-Related Macular Degeneration

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Abstract
The early clinical changes seen in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) of drusen and pigmentary abnormalities in the macula are considered to be clinical markers of the risk of developing the late complications of AMD, namely, geographic atrophy (GA) and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) that threaten vision. These early changes are common in people aged 50 years and older in western communities, with approximately 15% of this age group having some signs of early AMD. However, only 1% to 2% of those aged 50 years and older develop severe visual loss from AMD.1-3 Thus, the presence of drusen and pigment change alone is not sufficient to identify those at greatest risk of vision loss. Indeed, although the morphologic changes in size, number, and confluence of drusen and the presence of pigmentary changes are used to predict risk of progression of AMD, their ability to do so is not high.4-6 It is critical that we identify, among this early disease group, those at greatest risk of developing severe visual loss.

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