CURRENT CONCEPTS AND MODALITIES FOR MONITORING THE FELLOW EYE IN NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: An Expert Panel Consensus.

PURPOSE

The presence of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in one eye is a major risk factor for the development of disease in the fellow eye. Several methods exist to help physicians monitor the fellow eye, with new technologies becoming increasingly available.

METHODS

We provide an overview of modalities for nAMD monitoring, including advances in home-based options, and review their utility for fellow-eye monitoring, based on a review of the literature and a consensus of retinal experts.

RESULTS

Studies demonstrate the importance of early detection of nAMD in the fellow eye so that interventions can be made before significant vision loss occurs. A series of techniques exist for the early detection of nAMD including chart-based methods and imaging devices. The increased availability of home-based methods has presented an opportunity for patients to monitor their vision at home.

CONCLUSION

Frequent monitoring of the fellow eye in patients with unilateral nAMD is of critical importance to prevent vision loss and maintain quality of life. Patients should be examined every 3 to 4 months from the time of choroidal neovascularization diagnosis and encouraged to monitor their vision at home using home-based technologies where available, to provide the best opportunity for early detection.