Application and further development of fixation-controlled tests of macular function in AMD

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There is a lack of standardized techniques for fixationcontrolled macular function tests. Due to the long-standing research efforts of our department on the assessment of reading performance and fixation behaviour with the Scanning-LaserOphthalmoscope (SLO), methods have been developed that can be used for the standardized evaluation of the outcome of treatment in patients with Age related macula degeneration (ARMD) participating in the therapeutical trial. The goal of this project is thus to provide such techniques for the assessment of fixation with an SLO to the core centers Berlin, Cologne, and Tuebingen to develop refined task-adjusted methods for precise monitoring the effect of therapeutic intervention. To classify fixation locus and stability, a semi-automated evaluation program will be modified also for the case of non-central fixation, and an index of fixation quality (FQI) will be calculated. Normal values of the FQI and their variation by age will be determined. Developments of new techniques include a standardized SLO-perimetry program optimized for the case of non-central fixation to replace the non-standardized Rodenstock scotometry which will be used at the beginning of the study. In addition, a setup for fixationcontrolled multifocal ERG (MF-ERG) will be development that utilizes the He-Ne-laser for projection of the stimulus pattern.