Preferential Hyperacuity Perimetry Research Articles

The Clinical Use of Vernier Acuity: Resolution of the Visual Cortex Is More Than Meets the Eye.

Vernier acuity measures the ability to detect a misalignment or positional offset between visual stimuli, for example between two vertical lines when reading a vernier scale. It is considered a form of visual hyperacuity due to its detectable thresholds being considerably smaller than the diameter of a foveal cone receptor, which limits the spatial resolution of classical visual acuity. Vernier acuity relies heavily on cortical processing and is minimally affected by optical media factors, making it a useful indicator of cortical visual function. Vernier acuity can be measured, usually in seconds of arc, by freely available automated online tools as well as via analysis of steady state visual-evoked potentials, which allows measurement in non- or pre-verbal subjects such as infants. Although not routinely measured in clinical practice, vernier acuity is known to be reduced in amblyopia, glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa, and has been explored as a measure of retinal or neural visual function in the presence of optical media opacities. Current clinical utility includes a home-based vernier acuity tool, preferential hyperacuity perimetry, which is used for screening for choroidal neovascularisation in age-related macular degeneration. This review will discuss the measurement of vernier acuity, provide a current understanding of its neuro-ophthalmic mechanisms, and finally explore its utility through a clinical lens, along with our recommendations for best practice.

Current status of home monitoring technology for age-related macular degeneration.

Evidence suggests that patients present with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a delayed fashion. Increased lesion size associated with this delay directly impacts visual acuity. Upon treatment initiation, patients are monitored largely with optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology to determine the need for treatment. Home-monitoring systems using preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP) and OCT may optimize management. Comparison of Age-related Macular Degeneration Treatment Trials study and American Academy of Ophthalmology's Intelligent Research in Sight registry data suggest smaller lesion size and better visual acuity upon choroidal neovascularization (CNV) capture are associated with better final visual acuity with therapy. The HOME study and recent PHP-based ForeseeHome data indicate that this modality leads to earlier detection of CNV. Results of a real-world data analysis demonstrate 82% retention of ≥20/40 vision with median visual acuity of 20/40 at time of CNV detection using PHP home-monitoring. Home OCT data suggests excellent patient useability, with >90% of patients obtaining analyzable images. The Notal OCT Analyzer demonstrates superiority over human interpreters regarding the ability to detect intraretinal and subretinal fluid (82% vs. 47% sensitivity). PHP may improve treatment outcomes for exudative AMD by allowing for earlier detection of lesions. Home OCT platforms could allow for more convenient monitoring of patients undergoing treatment for exudative AMD and better enable true PRN models.

Detecting impaired vision caused by AMD from gaze data.

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the third leading cause of blindness and the first one in the elderly. AMD usually causes central blindness due to loss of photoreceptor cell . In this paper, we propose to detect AMD caused vision impairment from gaze data. Compared with the current methods, e.g., Amsler grid, Microperimetry and Preferential Hyperacuity Perimetry, to detect vision impairments, the proposed method has several advantages. 1) It does not require the patient to stare at a fixed position throughout the test. 2) It does not require the patient to orally or manually report / mark out the vision impairment. 3) It is easy to operate thus a trained nurse is capable of operating the test. We collect gaze data while the patient is performing fixation and smooth pursuit. Features describing the gaze properties are extracted and SVM with linear kernel is trained to detect AMD impaired vision. To implement the proposed method, we collected gaze data of 74 eyes of 57 patients, who are diagnosed as AMD patient by clinicians. Nidek Microperimetry is adopted as gold standard. 57 eyes with normal vision and 17 eyes with impaired vision (blind at more than half test points in Nidek test) are used for test. The result verifies the effectiveness of detecting vision impairment from gaze data.

Quantitative physiological measurements to evaluate the response of antivascular endothelial growth factor treatment in patients with neovascular diseases.

Antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment is still used intravitreally worldwide for various neovascular diseases, despite other available, approved treatments. We performed a systematic search of the literature focused on visual physiology studies. We used the online biomedical search engine PubMed and searched key words including “M-chart,” “Preferential Hyperacuity Perimetry,” “microperimetry,” (MP) “electroretinography,” and “contrast sensitivity” to estimate treatment efficacy of anti-VEGF treatments in a quantitative manner. Many studies were identified which used a variety of methodologies, disease entities, injected agents, and patient populations, making it difficult to obtain a direct comparison of their results. However, favorable functional outcomes achieved using current quantitative methods would lend further confidence to the effectiveness of a treat-and-extend protocol using intravitreal anti-VEGF for the management of patients with neovascular diseases. Despite anti-VEGF's wide use, a well-designed longitudinal multicenter study to systematically evaluate and compare different physiological methods or parameters in patients with neovascular diseases is still lacking, though it would benefit therapeutic decisions.

Preferential Hyperacuity Perimetry: Perspectives of Self-Monitoring of Neovascular Activity in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Preferential Hyperacuity Perimetry: Perspectives of Self-Monitoring of Neovascular Activity in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Short-Term Retinal Sensitivity and Metamorphopsia Changes following Half-Fluence Photodynamic Therapy in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term retinal sensitivity and metamorphopsia changes after half-fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods: Patients with acute CSC and evidence of angiographic leakage and subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography (OCT) were enrolled. Before, and 1 week (W-1) and 2 months (M-2) after PDT, all patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity, enhanced depth imaging OCT, microperimetry (MP) and preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP). We considered ‘affected' the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) sectors showing a mean retinal thickness greater than 350 μm on the baseline OCT thickness map. MP retinal sensitivity, PHP ‘score' and retinal thickness were measured in each ETDRS ‘affected sector'. Functional correlation between MP and PHP was also investigated. Results: Twelve eyes of 12 patients were included. MP and PHP correlated with each other at baseline (p = 0.04) but not at W-1 (p = 0.12) and M-2 (p = 0.05). Mean MP retinal sensitivity slightly improved from 12.9 ± 5.0 dB at baseline to 14.5 ± 4.7 dB at M-2 (p = 0.2). The PHP score changed from 0.33 at baseline to 0.32 at M-2 (p = 0.3). In the ETDRS ‘affected sectors', MP retinal sensitivity improved significantly from 12.9 ± 5.0 dB at baseline to 14.5 ± 4.7 dB at M-2 (p = 0.03), whereas the PHP score did not show significant changes over time. Conclusion: Half-fluence PDT achieved short-term improvement in the sensitivity of the retinal ‘affected sectors' but did not influence metamorphopsia as measured on PHP in patients with acute CSC.

METAMORPHOPSIA AND ITS QUANTIFICATION.

To discuss and analyze the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying metamorphopsia, the nature of adaptational mechanisms to this symptom, the development and clinical utility of tests of metamorphopsia, and to discuss the cost-effectiveness of screening populations at risk of exudative age-related macular degeneration using such tests. A primary literature search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted for articles covering the mechanisms and/or tests of metamorphopsia. A number of possible mechanisms of metamorphopsia were identified in addition to lateral photoreceptor displacement. These included disorders of image formation, changes in effective axial length, and pathology of the visual pathways and centers. The simplest tests of metamorphopsia rely on highly subjective assessments of regular patterns, as exemplified by Amsler grids. Such tests seem to offer poor sensitivity when used in real-life home-monitoring situations. Newer tests such as so-called preferential hyperacuity perimetry may offer more robust paradigms to assess the perception of distortion but suffer from an inherent disadvantage of being unable to precisely correlate function to structure. The recently published findings of the AREDS2-HOME trial suggest that formalized monitoring of visual function using a preferential hyperacuity perimetry task results in detection of exudative age-related macular degeneration when vision is better-preserved. A cost-benefit analysis using the data from the AREDS2-HOME trial suggests that the calculated cost of screening per letter gained/saved is $3,351 per year. Metamorphopsia is an important symptom in retinal disease and may occur through a variety of mechanisms. Although the human visual system is exquisitely sensitive to metamorphopsia, commonly used tests of this symptom may be unreliable in real-life conditions. Newer tests of metamorphopsia such as preferential hyperacuity perimetry may improve early detection rates of exudative age-related macular degeneration in at-risk populations.

Optical coherence tomography for the diagnosis, monitoring and guiding of treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of sight impairment in the UK. In neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), vision worsens rapidly (over weeks) due to abnormal blood vessels developing that leak fluid and blood at the macula. To determine the optimal role of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in diagnosing people newly presenting with suspected nAMD and monitoring those previously diagnosed with the disease. Databases searched: MEDLINE (1946 to March 2013), MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations (March 2013), EMBASE (1988 to March 2013), Biosciences Information Service (1995 to March 2013), Science Citation Index (1995 to March 2013), The Cochrane Library (Issue 2 2013), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (inception to March 2013), Medion (inception to March 2013), Health Technology Assessment database (inception to March 2013). Types of studies: direct/indirect studies reporting diagnostic outcomes. time domain optical coherence tomography (TD-OCT) or spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). clinical evaluation, visual acuity, Amsler grid, colour fundus photographs, infrared reflectance, red-free images/blue reflectance, fundus autofluorescence imaging, indocyanine green angiography, preferential hyperacuity perimetry, microperimetry. Reference standard: fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). Risk of bias was assessed using quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies, version 2. Meta-analysis models were fitted using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curves. A Markov model was developed (65-year-old cohort, nAMD prevalence 70%), with nine strategies for diagnosis and/or monitoring, and cost-utility analysis conducted. NHS and Personal Social Services perspective was adopted. Costs (2011/12 prices) and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were discounted (3.5%). Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. In pooled estimates of diagnostic studies (all TD-OCT), sensitivity and specificity [95% confidence interval (CI)] was 88% (46% to 98%) and 78% (64% to 88%) respectively. For monitoring, the pooled sensitivity and specificity (95% CI) was 85% (72% to 93%) and 48% (30% to 67%) respectively. The FFA for diagnosis and nurse-technician-led monitoring strategy had the lowest cost (£ 39,769; QALYs 10.473) and dominated all others except FFA for diagnosis and ophthalmologist-led monitoring (£ 44,649; QALYs 10.575; incremental cost-effectiveness ratio £ 47,768). The least costly strategy had a 46.4% probability of being cost-effective at £ 30,000 willingness-to-pay threshold. Very few studies provided sufficient information for inclusion in meta-analyses. Only a few studies reported other tests; for some tests no studies were identified. The modelling was hampered by a lack of data on the diagnostic accuracy of strategies involving several tests. Based on a small body of evidence of variable quality, OCT had high sensitivity and moderate specificity for diagnosis, and relatively high sensitivity but low specificity for monitoring. Strategies involving OCT alone for diagnosis and/or monitoring were unlikely to be cost-effective. Further research is required on (i) the performance of SD-OCT compared with FFA, especially for monitoring but also for diagnosis; (ii) the performance of strategies involving combinations/sequences of tests, for diagnosis and monitoring; (iii) the likelihood of active and inactive nAMD becoming inactive or active respectively; and (iv) assessment of treatment-associated utility weights (e.g. decrements), through a preference-based study. This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42012001930. The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

The ForeSeeHome device and the HOME study: a milestone in the self-detection of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

detection methods that register, quantify, and compare macular dysfunction over time have not been available. Ideally, an instrument that would integrate these features could be developed. The Home Monitoring of the Eye (HOME) study is a culmination of such an effort. 5 The HOME study determined whether CNV from AMD could be detected earlier using telemonitoring and preferential hyperacuity perimetry, a technique of macular visual field testing that can exceed the sensitivity of

Optical coherence tomography for the diagnosis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review.

The purpose is to study the diagnostic performance of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and alternative diagnostic tests for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods employed are as follows:systematic review and meta-analysis; OCT including time-domain (TD-OCT) and the most recently developed spectral domain (SD-OCT); comparator tests: visual acuity, clinical evaluation (slit lamp), Amsler chart, colour fundus photographs, infra-red reflectance, red-free images/blue reflectance, fundus autofluorescence imaging (FAF), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP), and microperimetry; reference standard: fundus fluorescein angiography. Databases searched included MEDLINE, MEDLINE In Process, EMBASE, Biosis, SCI, the Cochrane Library, DARE, MEDION, and HTA database. Last literature searches: March 2013. Risk of bias assessed using QUADAS-2. Meta-analysis models were fitted using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curves. Twenty-two studies (2 abstracts and 20 articles) enrolling 2124 participants were identified, reporting TD-OCT (12 studies), SD-OCT (1 study), ICGA (8 studies), PHP (3 studies), Amsler grid, colour fundus photography and FAF (1 study each). Most studies were considered to have a high risk of bias in the patient selection (55%, 11/20), and flow and timing (40%, 8/20) domains. In a meta-analysis of TD-OCT studies, sensitivity and specificity (95% CI) were 88% (46-98%) and 78% (64-88%), respectively. There was insufficient information to undertake meta-analysis for other tests. TD-OCT is a sensitive test for detecting nAMD, although specificity was only moderate. Data on SD-OCT are sparse. Diagnosis of nAMD should not rely solely on OCT.

Diagnostic accuracy of the Amsler grid and the preferential hyperacuity perimetry in the screening of patients with age-related macular degeneration: systematic review and meta-analysis.

To clarify the screening potential of the Amsler grid and preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP) in detecting or ruling out wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Medline, Scopus and Web of Science (by citation of reference) were searched. Checking of reference lists of review articles and of included articles complemented electronic searches. Papers were selected, assessed, and extracted in duplicate. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Twelve included studies enrolled 903 patients and allowed constructing 27 two-by-two tables. Twelve tables reported on the Amsler grid and its modifications, twelve tables reported on the PHP, one table assessed the MCPT and two tables assessed the M-charts. All but two studies had a case-control design. The pooled sensitivity of studies assessing the Amsler grid was 0.78 (95% confidence intervals; 0.64-0.87), and the pooled specificity was 0.97 (95% confidence intervals; 0.91-0.99). The corresponding positive and negative likelihood ratios were 23.1 (95% confidence intervals; 8.4-64.0) and 0.23 (95% confidence intervals; 0.14-0.39), respectively. The pooled sensitivity of studies assessing the PHP was 0.85 (95% confidence intervals; 0.80-0.89), and specificity was 0.87 (95% confidence intervals; 0.82-0.91). The corresponding positive and negative likelihood ratios were 6.7 (95% confidence intervals; 4.6-9.8) and 0.17 (95% confidence intervals; 0.13-0.23). No pooling was possible for MCPT and M-charts. Results from small preliminary studies show promising test performance characteristics both for the Amsler grid and PHP to rule out wet AMD in the screening setting. To what extent these findings can be transferred to a real clinic practice still needs to be established.

Randomized trial of the ForeseeHome monitoring device for early detection of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The HOme Monitoring of the Eye (HOME) study design — HOME Study report number 1

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of a home-monitoring device with tele-monitoring compared with standard care in detection of progression to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the US. Patients and methodsParticipants, aged 55 to 90years, at high risk of developing CNV associated with AMD were recruited to the HOme Monitoring of Eye (HOME) Study, an unmasked, multi-center, randomized trial of the ForeseeHome (FH) device plus standard care vs. standard care alone. The FH device utilizes preferential hyperacuity perimetry and tele-monitoring to detect changes in vision function associated with development of CNV, potentially prior to symptom and visual acuity loss. After establishing baseline measurements, subsequent changes on follow-up are detected by the device, causing the monitoring center to alert the clinical center to recall participants for an exam. Standard care consists of instructions for self-monitoring visual changes with subsequent self-report to the clinical center. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether home monitoring plus standard care in comparison with standard care alone, results in earlier detection of incident CNV with better present visual acuity. The primary outcome is the decline in visual acuity at CNV diagnosis from baseline. Detection of CNV prior to substantial vision loss is critical as vision outcome following anti-angiogenic therapy is dependent on the visual acuity at initiation of treatment. DiscussionHOME Study is the first large scale study to test the use of home tele-monitoring system in the management of AMD patients.

Association between hyperacuity defects and retinal microstructure in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Purpose:To improve our understanding of hyperacuity defects measured with preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP) by correlating PHP findings with the retinal microstructural changes visible on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).Materials and Methods:Twenty-eight eyes of 28 patients with PCV were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR) testing, PHP, and OCT. The functional ‘PHP test score’ and ‘total volume of hyperacuity defect zone’ were also analyzed.Results:Patients were classified based on the hyperacuity defect by PHP, as follows: Hyperacuity defect (n = 17 eyes) group and hyperacuity intact (n = 11 eyes) group. The mean best-corrected visual acuity in the hyperacuity intact group (0.46 ± 0.39) was better than that in the hyperacuity defect group (0.82 ± 0.37) (P = 0.014). The presence of serous retinal detachment and retinal pigment epithelial detachment did not differ significantly between groups (P = 0.120 and P = 0.689, respectively). A disrupted photoreceptor layer was more common in the hyperacuity defect group compared with the hyperacuity intact group (P = 0.0001). Among 17 eyes with a hyperacuity defect, 9 eyes showing intra-retinal pathology (intra-retinal cyst or hard exudates) and had a significantly higher PHP test score and larger total volume of the hyperacuity defect zone than 8 eyes without intra-retinal pathology (P = 0.006 and P = 0.021, respectively).Conclusion:A hyperacuity defect in PCV was associated with photoreceptor disarrangement. Furthermore, PCV lesions on the inner retina that invaded the photoreceptor layer were associated with a more severe hyperacuity defect.

Detection of new-onset choroidal neovascularization

To highlight the most common methods that are used to detect new-onset choroidal neovascularization (CNV) as a result of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Numerous modalities are available to try to detect CNV. Amsler grid testing, preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography are tools that may be used to detect CNV. The Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Detection of Onset of new Choroidal neovascularization Study (AMD DOC Study) evaluated the sensitivity of time domain OCT, relative to fluorescein angiography, in detecting new-onset neovascular AMD within a 2-year period. The sensitivity of each modality for detecting CNV was OCT 0.40 [(95% confidence interval (95% CI) (0.16-0.68), supervised Amsler grid 0.42 (95% CI 0.15-0.72), and PHP 0.50 (95% CI 0.23-0.77)]. Numerous modalities are available to try to detect CNV. The prospective AMD DOC Study demonstrated that fluorescein angiography still remains the best method to detect new-onset CNV.

Detection of New-Onset Choroidal Neovascularization Using Optical Coherence Tomography: The AMD DOC Study

To determine the sensitivity of time domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in detecting conversion to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in eyes at high risk for choroidal neovascularization (CNV), compared with detection using fluorescein angiography (FA) as the gold standard. Prospective, multicenter, observational study. Individuals aged ≥50 years with nonneovascular AMD at high risk of progressing to CNV in the study eye and evidence of neovascular AMD in the fellow eye. At study entry and every 3 months through 2 years, participants underwent best-corrected visual acuity, supervised Amsler grid testing, preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP) testing, stereoscopic digital fundus photographs with FA, and OCT imaging. A central Reading Center graded all images. The sensitivity of OCT in detecting conversion to neovascular AMD by 2 years, using FA as the reference standard. Secondary outcomes included comparison of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of OCT, PHP, and supervised Amsler grid relative to FA for detecting incident CNV. A total of 98 participants were enrolled; 87 (89%) of these individuals either completed the 24-month visit or exited the study after developing CNV. Fifteen (17%) study eyes had incident CNV confirmed on FA by the Reading Center. The sensitivity of each modality for detecting CNV was: OCT 0.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.68), supervised Amsler grid 0.42 (95% CI, 0.15-0.72), and PHP 0.50 (95% CI, 0.23-0.77). Treatment for incident CNV was recommended by the study investigator in 13 study eyes. Sensitivity of the testing modalities for detection of CNV in these 13 eyes was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.39-0.91) for OCT, 0.50 (95% CI, 0.19-0.81) for supervised Amsler grid, and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.35-0.93) for PHP. Specificity of the OCT was higher than that of the Amsler grid and PHP. Time-domain OCT, supervised Amsler grid, and PHP have low to moderate sensitivity for detection of new-onset CNV compared with FA. Optical coherence tomography has greater specificity than Amsler grid or PHP. Among fellow eyes of individuals with unilateral CNV, FA remains the best method to detect new-onset CNV.

Use of Home Device for Early Detection of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Early treatment for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is an important part of preserving visual function for patients with age-related macular degeneration. Preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP) provides high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity for detecting changes in lesions in diagnostic and treatment stages. The ForeseeHome is a PHP device designed for home use by patients. Regular use alerts retina specialists and patients of detected changes and allows patients to come in for visits when CNV begins or recurs. To maximize the benefit of recent breakthroughs in CNV treatment, patients should be better monitored with the ForeseeHome to detect new CNV while their vision is still good, and to promptly manage recurrence after treatment.

FUNCTIONAL AND MORPHOLOGIC BENEFITS IN EARLY DETECTION OF NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION USING THE PREFERENTIAL HYPERACUITY PERIMETER

To estimate the usefulness of preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP) in detecting conversion of early to late age-related macular degeneration in the Carotenoids and co-antioxidants in patients with Age-Related Maculopathy, a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial. This was a nested case control study within the Carotenoids and co-antioxidants in patients with Age-Related Maculopathy (CARMA) clinical trial and included all participants enrolled in a single center (n = 200). Data are from participants who progressed to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) during time on study, Group 1 (n = 10) before the use of PHP and Group 2 (n = 10) during use of PHP. We also randomly selected 21 other participants (Group 3) who did not progress to nvAMD during time on study as a control group. Change in best-corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity and size of neovascular lesion at detection of conversion to nvAMD in Groups 1 and 2. At detection of nvAMD, mean best-corrected visual acuity in Group 1 was 57.5 letters versus 67.4 in Group 2. In Group 1, the change in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline to detection of nvAMD was twice that of Group 2 (21.6 ± 9.0 versus 11.9 ± 10.7) with a mean difference of 9.7 letters (95% confidence interval, 0.41 to 19.0, P = 0.04, independent-samples t-test). The size of the neovascular lesion at detection was 3.06 mm in Group 1 versus 0.89 mm in Group 2 (P = 0.02). Two thirds of the participants in Group 2 were asymptomatic at detection of nvAMD compared with one fifth in Group 1. Preferential hyperacuity perimetry distortion maps were abnormal in 9 of 10 eyes in Group 2, which were confirmed by optical coherence tomography. Of the 21 eyes in Group 3, PHP maps were normal in 18 and abnormal in 3. Preferential hyperacuity perimetry detected abnormalities in central visual function with high reliability. Eyes with nvAMD lesions detected by PHP had smaller lesions and better function when compared with the group before the introduction of PHP. The false-negative rate was <10% on PHP. The PHP distortion map was helpful in alerting clinicians to the presence of subclinical nvAMD.

PREFERENTIAL HYPERACUITY PERIMETER IN BEST VITELLIFORM MACULAR DYSTROPHY

To determine the visual field patterns obtained by the preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP) in patients with Best vitelliform macular dystrophy with mutations in the BEST1 gene. Consecutive patients with Best vitelliform macular dystrophy underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including functional assessment by best-corrected visual acuity and Foresee PHP and morphologic assessment by fundus biomicroscopy, fundus autofluorescence, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The functional "PHP visual field defect index" (which is the max peak value of the metamorphopsia [maximal distortion value at the visual field] + the max peak value of the scotoma [maximal scotoma value at the visual field]) and best-corrected visual acuity were analyzed about the disease stage. Thirty eyes of 15 consecutive patients (8 men and 7 women; mean age 39 ± 24 years) were included for analysis. Based on fundus biomicroscopy, fundus autofluorescence, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, the macular lesions could be counted as follows: previtelliform lesions in 5 eyes of 3 patients (Stage 1), vitelliform lesions in 2 eyes of 2 patients (Stage 2), pseudohypopyon lesions in 6 eyes of 5 patients (Stage 3), vitelliruptive lesions in 4 eyes of 3 patients (Stage 4), atrophic lesions in 7 eyes of 5 patients (Stage 5), and fibrotic lesions in 6 eyes of 4 patients (Stage 6). Best-corrected visual acuity and PHP visual field defect index were averaged for each stage. Best-corrected visual acuity showed a good correlation (P = 0.01) with the morphologic severity (stage) of the disease (Pearson correlation = -0.88). Similarly, the PHP visual field defect index showed a good correlation (P = 0.03) with the morphologic severity (stage) of the disease (Pearson correlation = 0.78). Finally, best-corrected visual acuity showed a good correlation (P = 0.02) with the functional PHP visual field defect index (Pearson correlation = -0.83) about the morphologic stage of the disease. Preferential hyperacuity perimetry could be considered an adjunctive useful tool in the evaluation of functional impairment and disease progression in patients with Best vitelliform macular dystrophy.

Long-Term Monitoring of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Preferential Hyperacuity Perimetry

To estimate the efficacy and usability of preferential hyper-acuity perimetry (PHP) for monitoring patients with high-risk intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A long-term, observational, prospective case series of patients with intermediate AMD who underwent fluorescein angiography at recruitment. Eyes were examined every 3 months with PHP, visual acuity, and biomicroscopy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was performed when PHP was outside normal limits. In case of suspected findings in OCT, fluorescein angiography was also performed. Patients diagnosed as having choroidal neovascularization (CNV) were offered anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Twenty-six eyes (25 patients) were monitored for a mean follow-up period of 600 days. Of the 172 PHP tests done by these 26 eyes with intermediate AMD, 158 were within normal limits yielding a false-positive rate of 8.1%. Three of 4 eyes that converted to CNV had PHP test results outside normal limits before or on the day of diagnosis. PHP is useful for detecting CNV in regularly monitored eyes with intermediate AMD while maintaining a low false-positive rate.

PREFERENTIAL HYPERACUITY PERIMETRY TO DETECT HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE RETINAL TOXICITY

To determine if Preferential Hyperacuity Perimetry (PHP) testing can detect the presence of retinal toxicity due to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) or chloroquine administration. Fifteen patients were divided into three groups. Five patients had confirmed HCQ or chloroquine toxicity, five patients had suspected HCQ toxicity, and five patients had history of long-term use of HCQ or chloroquine but no evidence of toxicity. All patients underwent PHP testing. All patients with either known or suspected toxicity based upon standardized visual field testing and/or fluorescein angiography demonstrated significant hyperacuity defects on PHP testing. None of the patients on long-term HCQ therapy, without clinical suspicion of toxicity, demonstrated a PHP hyperacuity defect. Results of this pilot study with patients with known or suspected HCQ or chloroquine toxicity suggest that PHP may be a useful adjunct for testing of patients suspicious for toxicity due to these medications. Further testing is warranted.