Fundus Autofluorescence Changes in Age-related Maculopathy

• Main Authors: Pınar Bingöl Kızıltunç, Figen Şermet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Galenos Yayinevi 2018-12-01
• Series: Türk Oftalmoloji Dergisi
• Subjects: Fundus autofluorescence; lipofuscin; reticular drusen; age-related maculopathy
• Online Access: http://www.oftalmoloji.org/archives/archive-detail/article-preview/fundus-autofluorescence-changes-in-age-related-mac/21062
• ISSN: 1300-0659; 2147-2661

Objectives:The aim of this study was to describe the fundus autofluorescence (FAF) findings of age-related maculopathy and risk patterns associated with FAF changes.Materials and Methods:FAF images of 150 eyes with age-related maculopathy were evaluated retrospectively. FAF patterns were classified as normal, minimal change, focal increase, patchy, linear, lace-like, reticular, and speckled pattern. Correlation between patterns and visual acuity, pattern associations at initial visit, and focal atrophy development and pattern alterations during follow-up were evaluated.Results:At initial examination, 33.3% of the eyes showed no FAF pattern. In the other eyes, the most common patterns were reticular, focal increase, and patchy pattern at rates of 18%, 14.7%, and 11.3%, respectively. There was no correlation between pattern and visual acuity at initial visit. Two coexisting patterns were observed in 4.6% eyes, and the most common pattern in these combinations was reticular pattern (85.7%). Pattern alterations were observed in 5.3% of the eyes during follow-up. Half of these alterations involved transformation to reticular pattern or addition of reticular pattern to the initial pattern. In addition, 13.3% of the eyes developed focal atrophy during follow-up. Development of focal atrophy was more common with focal increase and reticular pattern, with rates of 45% and 30%, respectively.Conclusion:Presence of reticular pattern may be a risk factor for change and progression of FAF findings in age-related maculopathy.