Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging and Quantitative Assessment for Monitoring Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to show the feasibility of the ‘Advanced [retinal pigment epithelium] RPE analysis’ software tool to measure drusen area and volume as well as the area of geographic atrophy (GA) in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The source data from spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images obtained from three patients with confirmed dry AMD using Cirrus™ HD-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec) were re-evaluated with the new software analysis tool Advanced RPE analysis. The area of GA as well as drusen area and volume were measured and analysis of results were presented along with calculated values in two clearly arranged screens. Changes between visits were easily detectable and could be followed over time. Results correlated well with clinical observation. The conclusion reached was that the new Advanced RPE analysis software allows the automated, objective and quantitative assessment of atrophic lesions and drusen. It thus could prove to be useful in determining disease stages as well as prognosis more precisely, and provides the opportunity to monitor the effectiveness of new therapies in clinical trials.