Age-related maculopathy. II: The nature of the central visual field loss

This is the second of three papers dealing with age-related maculopathy (ARM) and its effect on visual function (Swann, P.G. and Lovie-Kitchin, J.E. Age-related maculopathy. I: A review of its morphology and effects on visual function. Ophthal. Physiol. Opt. 10, 149-158 (1990)). We investigated the nature or character of the central visual field loss in ARM and pre-age related maculopathy (PARM) and compared them with age-matched normal subjects. Central visual fields were examined using the Friedmann Visual Field Analyser, Mark II, the Bausch and Lomb Autoplot Tangent Screen and Amsler charts. The central visual field defects in ARM were predominantly pracentral with a relative sparing of foveal sensitivity. PARM subjects did not show significant visual field defects. However, three PARM subjects did show slight distortions with the Amsler charts. The third paper in this series will compare the efficacy of the three methods of visual field investigation in the detection of these defects

Age-related maculopathy. I: A review of its morphology and effects on visual function

Age-related maculopathy (ARM) is a leading cause of permanent vision loss in elderly people. ARM therefore constitutes an important public health problem which will increase in magnitude as the number of aged people in the general population becomes greater. The consequences of this condition are exacerbated by the fact that treatment, especially of the atrophic form of the disease, is ineffective. While laser photocoagulation may be helpful in the exudative form of ARM, there is often an inexorable progression towards severe vision loss in these patients. Therefore considerable attention needs to be paid to the aetiology of ARM, the potential for its prevention or delayed onset and its recognition through functional disturbances. This is the first of three papers dealing with ARM and its effects on visual function. We review its morphology and the visual disturbances that may ensue. The second and third papers will discuss the nature and detection of the central visual field loss due to ARM