PURPOSE: We evaluated the progression of geographic atrophy (GA) based on fundus autofluorescence (FAF) pattern and atrophy size using the fundus camera in non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: We acquired FAF images in non-exudative ARMD patients over a 2-year period. According to The Fundus Autofluorescence in Age-related Macular Degeneration (FAM) study, FAF patterns of geographic atrophy were classified into 5 categories. Examiners quantified the areas of GA in FAF images and analyzed the progression of atrophy based on FAF pattern and atrophy size. RESULTS: In 86 non-exudative ARMD eyes, elderly patients had faster progression rate of GA. The growth rates of GA were 1.51 mm2/year in 'Diffuse', 1.49 mm2/year in 'Banded', 1.05 mm2/year in 'Patchy', 0.59 mm2/year in 'Focal' and 0.16 mm2/year in 'None' pattern groups. In addition, the growth rate was 0.38 mm2/year in which initial the GA area was smaller than 1 disc area. This was the slowest progression rate among all categories according to initial GA area. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of evaluating the progression of geographic atrophy using FAF over a 2-year period, the growth rate of GA was the fastest in the 'Diffuse' pattern group. Additionally, as the initial GA area became smaller, the progression of GA atrophy was slower (p < 0.002). Although limitations such as short follow-up period and measurement error of GA atrophy area using fundus photography were compensated, the results in the present study were similar to the outcomes of studies on progression of GA based on FAF pattern using the scanning laser ophthalmoscope over several years and the fundus camera for 1 year. In conclusion, the fundus camera is a useful tool for the prediction of long-term progression of GA in patients with non-exudative ARMD.
Aged ; Atrophy ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Geographic Atrophy* ; Humans ; Macular Degeneration ; Ophthalmoscopes ; Photography

PURPOSE: In neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), it is reported that retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness becomes gradually thinner due to degeneration of the outer retinal layer. To our knowledge, there is no previous report regarding RNFL thickness in patients with non-neovascular AMD. Therefore, in this study, we compared RNFL thickness in patients with non-neovascular AMD and normal controls. METHODS: Thirty-one eyes with AMD category 3a (AREDS research group), 11 eyes suffering foveal geographic atrophy AMD category 4a, and 31 age-matched normal eyes were evaluated. In every group, regional RNFL thickness (General, Temporal, Superotemporal, Superonasal, Superior, Nasal, Inferonasal, Inferotemporal, and Inferior) was measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age or intraocular pressure among the 3 groups. The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (log MAR) of the category 4a group was significantly decreased compared to those of the other 2 groups. The mean RNFL thickness in total area in the category 3a group, category 4a group, and normal control group was 99.5 +/- 14.0 microm, 99.3 +/- 9.4 microm, and 99.4 +/- 9.6 microm, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant. No other regional mean values of RNFL thickness in the three groups were significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in RNFL thickness between non-neovascular patients and the control group.
Geographic Atrophy ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Macular Degeneration* ; Nerve Fibers* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity

Central serous retinopathy is a serous detachment of sensory retina in macular area resulting from retinal pigment epithelial defect. It usually affects adult between 25 and 50 years of age. Central serous retinopathy which occured in 50 years of age or older can be readily mistaken for senile macular degeneration with subretinal neovascularization, Two diseases must be differentiated because of different progress and treatment. Thirteen patients were 50 years of age or older among 172 patients with central serous retinopathy, There were 3 eyes with retinal pigment epithelial atrophy but there were no eyes with soft drusen, geographic atrophy and subretinal neovascular membrane. Subretinal neovascular membrane was not seen during follow up period also. Seven eyes received conservative treatment and 6 eyes received argon laser photocoagulation. Visual acuity of all patients improved to more than 20/50 after treatment and visual prognosis is not different with that of young adult.
Adult ; Argon ; Atrophy ; Central Serous Chorioretinopathy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Geographic Atrophy ; Humans ; Light Coagulation ; Macular Degeneration ; Membranes ; Prognosis ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Visual Acuity ; Young Adult