ELECTRORETINOGRAPHY IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEVELOPMENT

本研究的共同研究者参加了一项多中心 评估激光治疗效果的随机试验 光凝预防和延缓重度视力丧失 年龄相关性黄斑变性（AMD）并发 中心凹下新生血管膜 作为一个参与 临床中心，共同研究者预计100名合格的 每年有新的中心凹下膜的患者将被 随机分配至治疗组/无治疗组。 每年将入组约50例患者， 复发性新生血管膜。 这项辅助研究的目的是对黄斑中心凹光凝术 研究（FPS）是利用图形视网膜电图作为 客观，易于量化的测量黄斑功能， 这些病人。 PERG将从每名患者中获得， 入组时间，入组后3个月和6个月，以及 此后在FPS研究期间每6个月一次。 七个检查大小，对应于空间频率范围 从0.05到3.0周/度，将以模式显示 2 Hz和30 Hz的反转率。 黄斑进展 将评估每组患者随时间的退化 通过确定与PERG相关的函数的参数， 空间频率的振幅。 因为每个病人都必须 研究眼的视力不高于20/80且不差 超过20/320才有资格参加审判，补充措施 来帮助评估治疗效果。 初步工作表明，PERG函数提供了一个 “视网膜敏锐度”的客观量度，涉及视觉质量， 在低视力患者中容易测量， 访视间变异性 预计这一做法将在 不仅在评估治疗效果方面有价值， FPS试验的背景，但也将在未来的价值 AMD患者的治疗试验。

Co-investiagtors in this study are participating in a multicenter randomized trial to assess the effectiveness of laser photocoagulation in preventing of delaying severe visual loss in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) complicated by a subfoveal neovascular membrane. As members of a participating clinical center, the co-investigators anticipate 100 eligible patients each year with new subfoveal membranes will be randomly assigned to treatment/no treatment groups. Approximately 50 patients per year will be enrolled with recurrent neovascular membranes. The purpose of this ancillary study to the Foveal Photocoagulation Study (FPS) is to utilize the pattern electroretinogram as an objective, readily-quantifiable measure of macular function in these patients. PERGs will be obtained from each patient at the time of enrollment, at 3 and 6 months following enrollment, and every 6 months thereafter for the duration of the FPS study. Seven check sizes, corresponding to spatial frequencies ranging from 0.05 to 3.0 cycles per degree, will be presented at pattern reversal rates of 2 Hz and 30 Hz. Progression of macular degeneration over time will be assessed in each group of patients by determining the parameters of functions relating PERG ampitude to spatial frequency. Since each patient must have visual acuity in the study eye no better than 20/80 and no worse than 20/320 to be eligible for the trail, supplementary measures of macular function are needed to help assess treatment efficacy. Preliminary work has shown that PERG function provides an objective measure of "retinal acuity", relates to quality of vision, is readily measurable in patients with low vision, and has low intervisit variability. It is anticipated that this approach will be of value not only in the assessment of treatment efficacy within the context of the FPS trial, but also will be of value in future treatment trials in patients with AMD.