AMD and Validation Rod-Meditated Dark Adaptation With Everyday Task Performance

AMD and Validating Rod-Meditated Dark Adaptation With Everyday Task Performance

The goal is to conduct a cross-sectional, single timepoint study on older adults with early and intermediate AMD, and with subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), and those in normal health, establishing an association between dark adaptation and reading performance under dim illumination, both which depend on rod photoreceptors.

The investigators propose two sites for the study, Duke University and UAB. Each site will enroll 100 participants as indicated in the table above, per the AREDS 9-step AMD classification system, with 200 participants in the sample. Because the variance of rod-mediated dark adaptation in AMD patients increases with increasing disease severity, the investigators will implement a larger sample size for intermediate AMD and a smaller sample for patients in normal macular health.

The investigators will collect demographic characteristics (age, race/ethnicity, gender), ocular medical history from the electronic health record, and medication use. In addition, the protocol will focus on measuring the following major components:

1. Comprehensive eye exam
2. Rod-mediated dark adaptation
3. Reading performance
4. Mobility
5. Ellipsoid zone loss and attenuation

Statistical associations will be computed using correlational analysis for the overall sample, within each patient group, and also separately for those with SDD. Sample size estimation is challenging because there is no previous literature on the association between rod-mediated dark adaptation and MNREAD reading performance or MOST performance. With a sample size of 200 participants, the investigators will have adequate statistical power (80%) to detect a correlation of at least 0.20 for the total sample and adequate statistical power to detect within-group correlations of at least 0.40.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Capable and willing to provide consent
• Has been diagnosed with early, intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration or geographic atrophy or has a healthy macular for controls
• At least 50 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable or unwilling to give consent or unable to read consent since the study involves testing which requires reading
• Under 50 years of age
• Presence of dense cataracts in the study eye (s) that can affect visual function tests
• Presence of glaucoma requiring treatment during the study and/or visual field defects
• Previous retinal laser or surgical therapy in the study eye(s)
• Previous retinal laser or surgical therapy in the study eye(s)
• Any other ocular condition requiring long-term therapy or surgery during the study
• The participant has photographically significant corneal or media opacities in either eye that would preclude adequate ophthalmic imaging and functional testing
• Diagnosis of nystagmus that will interfere with testing
• High myopia -8 Diopters or more severe
• The participant has, in the opinion of the Investigator, any physical or mental condition that would increase the risk of participation in the study or may interfere with the study procedures, evaluations, and outcome assessments.