Macular retinal function detected by MP-1 microperimetry in normal subjects of middle and old age

Abstract

To investigate the macular retinal sensitivity and fixation stability rates in normal subjects of middle and old age by using the MP-1 microperimetry. This was a normal value test which enrolled 60 healthy subjects aging from 41 to 70 years old. It detected the retinal function of the central 10 degrees of the macular by using the MP-1 microperimetry. Sixty subjects were divided into three groups according to their ages: group A from 41 to 50, group B from 51 to 60 and group C from 61 to 70. Rank and testing methods were used to compare the mean retinal sensitivity (MS) within the central 10 degrees of the macular among the three groups, and P < 0.017 was used for statistical significance. Rank and testing methods were used to compare MS of different locations in the macular fovea, and P < 0.025 was used for statistical significance. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the age and retinal MS values. The retinal MS within the central 10 degrees of the macular in 60 eyes of the 60 subjects was (19.7833 ± 0.4906) dB, and were (19.5117 ± 1.1044), (19.8542 ± 0.4099) and (19.9183 ± 0.3895) dB at 5 degrees, 3 degrees and 1 degree from the center of the macular, respectively. The mean fixation stability rates within 2 degrees and 4 degrees were (88.4667 ± 9.9600)% and (97.2000 ± 3.9091)%, respectively. There was statistical significance between retinal MS at 5 degrees and at 3 degrees from the center of the macular (Z = -2.943, P < 0.025); there was also statistical significance between retinal MS at 3 degrees and at 1 degree from the center of the macular (Z = -2.367, P < 0.025). MP-1 microperimetry examination could be used to evaluate the macular retinal function. There is no difference in the retinal MS within the central 10 degrees of the macular among the three groups of normal subjects of different ages. The retinal MS difference is statistically significant with different distances from the center of the macular; but there is no correlation between the age and the retinal sensitivities in normal subjects of middle and old age.