May 31, 2004
Drusenoid PED, metamorphopsia affect AMD prognosis
Large drusenoid pigment epithelium detachment and metamorphopsia are risk factors for progression of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration, according to a long-term study. Drusenoid pigment epithelium detachment (PED) for a mean of 4.6 Drusenoid PED is defined as 0.5 disc diameter of confluent soft drusen under the center of the macula. Eyes with drusenoid PED had a 50% chance of developing geographic atrophy after 7 years. If the drusenoid PED is greater than 2 disc diameters upon presentation, progression to atrophy or ingrowth of CNV will occurre after 2 years (P < .01). At follow-up of more than 10 years, three-quarters of eyes with drusenoid detachments will progress to geographic atrophy and one-quarter to CNV. Optical coherence tomography is helpful in distinguishing between coalescent soft drusen and drusenoid PED.
Posted by kjalali at May 31, 2004 09:22 PM