When:
2014-06-17 at 11:30
Where:
Details:
TITLE:
Advances in the knowledge of the relationships between structural changes as a result of AMD and deficits in visual processing.
ABSTRACT:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is among the leading causes of irreversible blindness in older adults. AMD affects sub-retinal loci, but as it progresses there is a subsequent loss of overlying retinal structures. As fovea vision is lost, an extra-foveal location may be used for fixation (preferred retinal locus or PRL). Eccentric viewing complicates the interpretation of functional data. For example, clinically measured reductions in visual acuity may be due to losses of retinal structure at the fovea or to viewing with a peripheral retinal locus. It is difficult to distinguish among these alternatives without direct fundus viewing. Newer methods of imaging coupled with an ability to conduct fundus-guided psychophysics are now available. Using results from an OCT/SLO/Microperimeter, I will discuss relationships between structural changes as a result of AMD and deficits in visual processing. The consequences of disease-related losses to performance of everyday tasks also will be examined.