Relationship of Topographic Distribution of Macular Atrophy Secondary to Neovascular AMD and Reading Performance

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to provide a topographical assessment of macular atrophy in successfully treated neovascular age -related macular degeneration (AMD) eyes to investigate determinants of monocular reading performance. METHODS. A total of 60 participants (60 eyes) with previously treated neovascular AMD and absence of optical coherence tomography (OCT) signs of exudation were enrolled. Reading performance was assessed monocularly using Radner charts. The following variables were obtained: (i) the reading acuity was defined as the logarithm of the reading acuity determination (LogRAD), at the smallest sentence, a patient is able to read in less than 30 seconds; (ii) the maximum reading speed was defined as the fastest time achieved and is calculated in words per minute (wpm). OCT images were reviewed for the presence of macular atrophy within the central, 4 inner and 4 outer Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid subfields. Contributory factors affecting reading performance were examined using univariable and multivariable linear mixed model considering reading acuity and reading speed as dependent variables. RESULTS. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) values were 0.53 (IQR = 0.17) LogRAD for reading acuity, and 144 (60) wpm for maximum reading speed. Thirty-five out of 60 (58.3%) eyes were characterized by the presence of macular atrophy. In multiple regression analysis, reading acuity was significantly associated with presence of macular atrophy in the foveal central circle (P = 0.024). Conversely, the maximum reading speed was associated with presence of macular atrophy in the inner -right ETDRS subfield (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS. We showed a significant relationship between presence and location of macular atrophy and reading performance in neovascular AMD.