Self‐recognition of recurrences among patients with exudative age‐related macular degeneration

Abstract

Purpose

The aim was to investigate factors influencing a patient's self‐recognition of the recurrence of exudative changes secondary to age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

In this retrospective study, we reviewed medical records for patients with exudative AMD who were diagnosed with a recurrence of exudation. Various parameters were compared, including age, sex, diagnosis, spectacle use, visual acuity before and after the recurrence and the extent of the decrease in visual acuity. In addition, visual acuity and unaided vision before the recurrence were compared in patients who did not use eyeglasses.

Results

Forty‐eight eyes from 48 patients were included in the analysis. Twenty‐seven patients (56.3 per cent) identified a decrease in visual acuity. These patients had better visual acuity before the recurrence (p = 0.023) and reported a greater decrease in visual acuity (p = 0.005) than patients who did not identify a visual change. Patients who wore spectacles were also more likely to notice the change in their visual acuity (p = 0.027). Visual acuity was significantly better than uncorrected vision (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients who do not use eyeglasses or who have relatively poor vision tend not to promptly recognise visual deterioration caused by the recurrence of exudation. Prescribing eyeglasses may facilitate accurate self‐recognition of the recurrence of exudation in cases where vision can be improved with correction.

Key words:

• age‐related macular degeneration
• macula
• retina