Geographic atrophy location linked to vision-related quality of life

The location of geographic atrophy (GA) lesions within the eye, particularly in specific subfields of the better eye, significantly influences the vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) experienced by patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study.

The prospective study involved 82 patients diagnosed with bilateral GA. Parameters including GA location, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low-luminance visual acuity (LLVA), reading acuity, and speed were meticulously analyzed. The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (NEI VFQ-25) served as the tool to gauge VRQoL. Employing sophisticated analysis techniques, the team correlated these parameters with VRQoL scores.

Patients exhibited an average GA area of 2.9 ± 1.2 mm2 in the better eye and 3.1 ± 1.3 mm2 in the worse eye. Associations between VRQoL scores and GA location were pronounced, with inner lower and inner left subfields of the better eye exhibiting significant impact on distance and near activities, respectively. Furthermore, for patients with foveal-sparing GA, LLVA of the better eye emerged as the most influential variable across all VRQoL scales.

Reference
Künzel SH, Broadbent E, Möller PT, et al. Association of lesion location and functional parameters on vision-related quality of life in geographic atrophy secondary to AMD. Ophthalmol Retina. 2024;S2468-6530(24)00057-5. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2024.01.025. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38311207.