Assessment of visual function in patients with age-related macular degeneration and low visual acuity

M. F. Alexander, M. G. Maguire, T. M. Lietman, J. R. Snyder, M. J. Elman and S. L. Fine
Retinal Vascular Center, Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205.

The visual function of 100 eyes with low visual acuity of 100 patients with age-related macular degeneration was examined using measurements of visual acuity, peak contrast sensitivity, and the ability to read, to tell time, and to distinguish colors, products, and facial expressions. Visual acuity and peak contrast sensitivity were correlated (r = .62); however, a range of peak contrast sensitivities was observed at each level of acuity. When considered individually, visual acuity and peak contrast sensitivity were related to the ability to perform each of the tasks. When multivariate methods were applied, both visual acuity and peak contrast sensitivity contributed independently to the ability to read and tell time. Among patients with the same contrast sensitivity, visual acuity had little or no relationship to the ability to identify colors, products, and faces.

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