Macular Degeneration, Dry

It has been shown that reactions of human retinal photoreceptors to a light stimulus can be measured with custom-made, research prototype optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems. This can be used as a biomarker for the function of the photoreceptors. Due to the high technical demands on the system, however, the technique is currently not available for clinical purposes. In this pilot study a protocol to measure changes in retinal photoreceptor layer thickness before and after light stimulation shall be developed based on a commercial OCT system and newly developed algorithms. Other variables, such as circadian processes shall be investigated as well. After measurements in healthy volunteers, the protocol is planned to be applied in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to test for feasibility of the method in these patient groups.

Prospective, randomized, controlled, longitudinal, interventional multicentric study involving patients with reticular pseudodrusen secondary to AMD. The objective of this study is to establish the effectiveness of subthreshold laser treatment in increase/prevent the decrease of the retinal sensibility in patients with reticular pseudodrusen, and to reduce the progression of RPD to atrophy. Approximately 50 naïve patients with reticular pseudodrusen who underwent subthreshold laser treatment in perifoveal area. These patients should be randomized in the 2 study arms of the study. Patients will be evaluated at Screening/Baseline and then revaluated and retreated at month 3, 6 and 9. At month 12, all patients will be evaluated with a full ocular examination, visual acuity measurement (VA), optical coherence tomography (OCT) with autofluorescence, OCT-angiography and microperimetry. The rationale of the study is to prevent the evolution of reticular pseudodrusen to atrophic degeneration.

This research will study natural course of dry AMD in Chinese population, screen fundus imaging indicators for patients with Chinese dry AMD, describe the clinical features of Chinese patients with dry AMD, and obtain a biological sample library of dry AMD mainly in China.