Abstract
Retinal capillary blood flow in nonexudative age-related macular degeneration
- Klinika Okulistyki Instytutu – Centrum Zdrowia Matki Polki w Łodzi
- Klinika Chorób Oczu Katedry Chorób Oczu Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi, Szpital Kliniczny nr 1
Introduction
The purpose of this study was to evaluate retinal capillary blood flow in patients with nonexudative age- related macular degeneration.
Material and methods
Twenty five patients with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration and twenty five age-matched control subjects were enrolled into the study. Full ophthalmological examination and fluorescein angiography were performed. Retinal blood flow was evaluated with the Heidelberg Retina Flowmeter. Total mean flow and mean velocity were calculated using the technique of automatic full field perfusion image analysis (AFFPIA).
Results
Patients with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration revealed statistically significant lower retinal blood flow than control subjects. In AMD group total mean flow values were 266.89 / 272.21 AU, while in control group were: 1.498 / 1.509 AU. Mean velocity values were: 1.315 / 1.329 AU in AMD patients and: 1.498 / 1.509 AU in controls.
Conclusions
The study results showed reduced capillary retinal blood flow in patients with age-related macular degeneration compared to normal subjects. This retinal microcirculation impairment suggests more generalized perfusion defect involving both, choroidal and retinal blood flow.
Keywords
age-related macular degeneration, nonexudative AMD, perfusion, retinal blood flow
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