Macular Degeneration: Finger RP

Finger RP, Krohne TU, Charbel Issa P, Fleckenstein M, Scholl HP, Holz FG. · No affiliation provided · Retina. · Pubmed #19430277 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Finger RP, Fleckenstein M, Scholl HP, Holz FG. · Centre for International Health, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australien. · Pharm Unserer Zeit. · Pubmed #17957685 No free full text.

Abstract: Bei der altersabhängigen Makuladegeneration (AMD) handelt es sich um eine komplexe Erkrankung des Netzhaut-/Pigmentepithel-/ Aderhaut-Komplexes, die typischerweise zu einem Verlust der Sehschärfe und des zentralen Gesichtsfeldes führt. Bei der häufigen neovaskulären Spätform kann ein Sehverlust mittels VEGF-Inhibitoren verhindert und bei einem Teil der Patienten sogar erstmals eine Sehverbesserung erreicht werden.

Fleckenstein M, Charbel Issa P, Helb HM, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Finger RP, Scholl HP, Loeffler KU, Holz FG. · Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. · Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. · Pubmed #18487363 No free full text.

Abstract: PURPOSE: To describe morphologic variations in outer retinal layers in eyes with atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using high-resolution, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: SD-OCT scans were obtained with a combined confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO) and SD-OCT for simultaneous tomographic and topographic in vivo imaging. A total of 81 eyes of 56 patients (mean age, 77.8 +/- 7.4 years) with geographic atrophy (GA) were examined. Morphologic alterations were analyzed and classified in the perilesional zone, at the junction between GA and nonatrophic retina, and in the atrophic area itself. RESULTS: In the perilesional zone, distinct morphologic alterations included elevations of the outer retinal layers, thickening, and spikes of the outer hyperreflective band as well as clumps at different neurosensory retinal levels. At the junction, highly variable transitions of the outer retinal layers were present with different degrees of loss of the normal hyperreflective bands. Within the actual GA, hyperreflective clumps at different retinal levels, segmented plaques of the outer band and elevations with variable reflectivity were visualized. CONCLUSIONS: SD-OCT imaging in eyes with GA revealed a wide spectrum of morphologic alterations, both in the surrounding retinal tissue and in the atrophic area. These alterations may reflect different disease stages or, alternatively, heterogeneity on a cellular and molecular level. Longitudinal studies using in vivo SD-OCT imaging may allow evaluation of the relevance of these phenotypic changes as potential predictive markers for the progression of disease (i.e., enlargement rates of GA over time) and may be used for monitoring of future therapeutic interventions.

Finger RP, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Scholl HP. · Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. · Qual Life Res. · Pubmed #18365767 No free full text.

Abstract: PURPOSE: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has a considerable impact on older adults' independence and autonomy. Recently, patient reported outcomes (PROs) such as QoL have been met with increasing interest by the scientific community, healthcare payers and planners. Against this background, the multitude of psychometric tools used to measure QoL in AMD was reviewed. METHODS: A search of the literature from 1990 onwards yielded 355 results, out of which 58 publications were included in the review. Data regarding design, validation and extent of utilization were obtained where available. RESULTS: The National Eye Institute-Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25-item) was found to be the most often used (29% of studies) and best validated psychometric tool, followed by the Visual Function Questionnaire (VF-14; 17%), and the Impact of Vision Impairment Profile (IVI; 9%). Most tools that were identified have been validated for the use in AMD patients. CONCLUSION: Psychometric tools specifically designed to measure vision-related quality of life are well equipped and validated to measure QoL in AMD. More recent developments such as the Macular Disease-dependent Quality of Life (MacDQoL) questionnaire might be able to depict dimensions of vision-related QoL in greater depth. Future studies should endeavour to use a suggested standard when gathering data on vision related QoL, allowing for international comparisons.