Long term results of age-related macular degeneration therapy with prednisolone acetate--special refer to peripheral visual field changes.

In the north Croatian Adriatic area in the period of seven years (from January 2001 to September 2007) 475 patients (39 to 80 years of age) with dry form of age related macular degeneration (AMD) were diagnosed. Complete ophthalmologic examination with special reference to visual field testing (Perimetric analysis) was performed. Peripheral visual field defects were found in 85% of patients. Elderly patients with more advanced forms of macular degeneration had more peripheral visual field defects. In 400 patients corticosteroid therapy (5 mg Prednisolonacetate, anterior H-inject, Winthorp) was administered via parabulbar injections every day/five days. Control group consisted of 75 patients treated with regular polyvitamine therapy (Lutein, Beta Karoten, Vitamin E). Patients treated with corticosteroids had peripheral visual field improvements from 10 to 25 degrees and central field improvements from 5 to 20%. In the control group treated with vitamins, central visual field showed improvements from 0.5 to 1% in 43 patients but without peripheral visual field improvements after 6 months.