Progression of Atrophy and Visual Outcomes in Extensive Macular Atrophy with Pseudodrusen-like Appearance.

PURPOSE

To report visual outcomes and rate of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy progression in patients with extensive macular atrophy with pseudodrusen-like appearance (EMAP).

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with EMAP and symptom onset before 55 years of age, at least 12 months of follow-up using Spectralis blue-light fundus autofluorescence (BAF) and OCT and with no other ocular or systemic conditions.

METHODS

Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), BAF, and OCT images were reviewed at baseline and at each annual visit until the last available follow-up. Atrophy was measured by 2 graders using the region finder software on Heidelberg Explorer and confirmed using OCT scans covering the entire atrophic lesion. The following imaging biomarkers were analyzed at each visit: foveal atrophy, vitreomacular traction, outer retinal tubulations, choroidal caverns and subfoveal choroidal thickness, border autofluorescence pattern (hyper-autofluorescent or iso-autofluorescent), and border irregularity as expressed by circularity index (CI).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcomes were annual rate of atrophy enlargement and BCVA loss in EMAP patients. Secondary outcomes included the assessment of potential factors able to predict disease progression.

RESULTS

Thirty-six eyes from 18 patients with EMAP (6 men [33%]; mean age at symptom onset, 48.1 ± 1.7 years) were included. Mean follow-up lasted 32.8 ± 14.3 months. RPE atrophy increased from 10.8 ± 6.3 mm at baseline to 18.1 ± 8.3 mm at the end of follow-up, with a rate of 2.91 ± 1.09 mm/year. Faster progression was associated with smaller CI at baseline ( = 0.02) and with iso-autofluorescent lesion borders ( = 0.01). Visual acuity declined progressively at a rate of 7.4 ± 5.8 letters per year, with 57% of eyes showing vision of 20/200 Snellen or worse at the 4-year follow-up. Worse visual outcomes were observed in patients with early foveal involvement at baseline ( = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients affected by EMAP present a rapid expansion of RPE atrophy that is comparable with the diffuse-trickling form of geographic atrophy. More irregular and iso-autofluorescent lesion borders seem to predict faster progression. Our findings may provide relevant information for patient counseling and future interventional approaches to select the best candidates and proper clinical outcomes.