Reading Performance as a Suitable Indicator of Functional Impairment in Geographic Atrophy

Article: AMD: Reading ability crucial indicator of functional loss 
Source: University of Bonn (Germany)
Published: September 30, 2021 

In geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reading ability is a functional indicator that is closely related to changes in retinal structure. German researchers, along with U.S. colleagues, are studying how reading speed is a better reflection of functional impairment in geographic atrophy compared to best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). They argue that even when central visual acuity is still good, retinal imaging can be used to detect changes that affect reading performance. While conventional assessments are important to guide therapeutic decisions, "conventional functional tests such as visual acuity do not capture all the dismal functional consequences of the disease," one of the authors states. These limitations can be severe enough to affect everyday quality of life. The study involved 85 participants with geographic atrophy, with reading ability assessed using Radner charts and retinal assessment performed with longitudinal fundus autofluorescence and infrared reflectance images. According to their findings, reading acuity was most strongly associated with BCVA and structural biomarkers; reading speed was most strongly associated with BCVA, low-luminance visual acuity, and structural biomarkers. The binocular inhibition phenomenon, a negative influence of the worse-seeing eye in binocular vision (in this case, reading), was not observed, leading the researchers to recommend that clinical and low-vision care be focused primarily on the better-seeing eye. They conclude that both reading ability and reading speed can be suitable functional tests (endpoints) for clinical studies.

My rating of this study: ⭐🌸

Künzel SH, Lindner M, Sassen J, et al. "Association of Reading Performance in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration With Visual Function and Structural Biomarkers." JAMA Ophthalmology.  139(11):1191-1199. 30 September 2021. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2021.3826