Clinical and functional parallels in assessing vision quality in patients with age-related macular degeneration and diabetic angioretinopathy

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic angioretinopathy (DARP) are leading cause of vision loss, irreversible blindness and human disability. Purpose: to find clinical and functional parallels between the assessment of visual acuity in patients with AMD and DARP for determining of treatment method. Material and methods. The study included the results of examination of patients with DARP and AMD in the period 2018–2021. Group 1 (DARP) consisted of 70 patients (140 eyes): 1A subgroup with non-proliferative form – 45 patients (45 eyes), 1B subgroup with preproliferative one – 36 patients (36 eyes), 1B subgroup with proliferative one – 59 patients (59 eyes). Group 2 (AMD) consisted of 64 patients (109 eyes): 2A subgroup with dry form – 34 patients (67 eyes) and 2B subgroup with wet one – 30 patients (42 eyes); control group – 32 patients (64 eyes). The data of computed perimetry (MD, PSD), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography, visual far acuity test with using the modified ETDRS table with Russian optotypes were analyzed. Fractal analysis of retinal vascular networks (Df1 OCT-angio, Df2 fundus) was performed. Results. Correlation analysis showed the relationship between Df1 and visual acuity, estimated by the number of ETDRS letters (r = –0.3) for DARP. The acuity of vision in AMD also directly correlates with the MD (r = 0.5) and PSD (r = –0.43) indexes. Df1 differed in 1A and 1Б groups (p = 0.02), as well as 1A and 1B (p = 0.004). Correlation of DARP stages with Df1 (p = –0.6) and Df2 (p = 0.6) was revealed. Conclusion. The acuity of vision assessed using a modified ETDRS table with Russian optotypes, MD and PSD, Df of vasculature in DARP and MNV in AMD are the criteria in a comprehensive assessment for determining treatment.