Functional vision and vision-related quality of life of patients with peri-foveal geographic atrophy
| Saturday, November 2, 2024 |
| 10:55 AM - 11:05 AM |
| Panorama Rooms 2 & 3 |
Overview
Lauren Vernon
Speaker
Miss Lauren Vernon
La Trobe University
Functional vision and vision-related quality of life of patients with peri-foveal geographic atrophy
Abstract
Purpose: Patients with perifoveal geographic atrophy (PFGA) typically have a small foveal/para-foveal area of intact retina with good acuity but complain of difficulty with tasks such as reading.
The aim of this study was to compare the functional vision and vision-related quality of life (VQoL) of patients with and without PFGA.
Methods: Prospective case control of patients with PFGA and age-matched controls. PFGA diagnosis was made by clinical exam, SD-OCT and FAF. Fixation was measured using MAIA microperimetry. Eye movements and gaze tracking were recorded using the Tobii Pro Fusion infra-red eye tracker whilst reading text. VQoL was assessed with the Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) questionnaire.
Results: 8 participants with PFGA and 9 without (CG) with mean age of 80.6 and 74.6 respectively. Near acuity (PFGA=n14, CG=n5) and BCVA (PFGA=6/12+, CG=6/6) was worse in the PFGA group (p<0.05).
Fixation was worse (p<0.05) for the PFGA group as measured by the MAIA (P1, P2, BCEA 63%, 95%). Fixation duration and frequency and number of saccades whilst reading was also worse for the PFGA group (p<.05) and they had a lower IVI score (PFGA=51.63 CG=73.33 (p=0.02)). Significant correlations (p<0.05) were found between fixation measured by the MAIA and the gaze and fixation data recorded by the eye tracker.
Conclusion: Despite presenting with good acuity, patients with PFGA perform significantly worse on a range of functional vision parameters. Further research on these outcomes in PFGA is warranted.
The aim of this study was to compare the functional vision and vision-related quality of life (VQoL) of patients with and without PFGA.
Methods: Prospective case control of patients with PFGA and age-matched controls. PFGA diagnosis was made by clinical exam, SD-OCT and FAF. Fixation was measured using MAIA microperimetry. Eye movements and gaze tracking were recorded using the Tobii Pro Fusion infra-red eye tracker whilst reading text. VQoL was assessed with the Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) questionnaire.
Results: 8 participants with PFGA and 9 without (CG) with mean age of 80.6 and 74.6 respectively. Near acuity (PFGA=n14, CG=n5) and BCVA (PFGA=6/12+, CG=6/6) was worse in the PFGA group (p<0.05).
Fixation was worse (p<0.05) for the PFGA group as measured by the MAIA (P1, P2, BCEA 63%, 95%). Fixation duration and frequency and number of saccades whilst reading was also worse for the PFGA group (p<.05) and they had a lower IVI score (PFGA=51.63 CG=73.33 (p=0.02)). Significant correlations (p<0.05) were found between fixation measured by the MAIA and the gaze and fixation data recorded by the eye tracker.
Conclusion: Despite presenting with good acuity, patients with PFGA perform significantly worse on a range of functional vision parameters. Further research on these outcomes in PFGA is warranted.
Biography
Lauren Vernon completed her Bachelor of Orthoptics (Honours) in 2023. She is now working as an Orthoptist at The Bays Eye Centre in Mornington. Lauren has broad experience having placements at Bendigo Eye Clinic, Waverley Eye Clinic and in pediatrics at La Trobe Eye Clinic and Melbourne Eye Surgeons. She has also volunteered her orthoptic skills overseas in the Philippines providing much needed eyecare services to the communities on the island of Antique. Lauren has continued on from her honours project conducting further research into the functional vision of peri-foveal geographic atrophy and has been working closely with A/Professor Wilson Heriot and A/Professor Meri Vukicevic at Retinology Institute over the past 18 months.
