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To determine whether reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) status and/or ARMS2/HTRA1 genotype are associated with altered geographic atrophy (GA) enlargement rate, and to analyze potential mediation of genetic effects by RPD status.Post hoc analysis of a cohort within the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) controlled clinical trial.771 eyes (563 participants, mean age 74.8 years) with GA.GA area was measured by planimetry from color fundus photographs at annual visits. RPD presence was graded from fundus autofluorescence images. Mixed-model regression of square root GA area was performed according to RPD status and/or ARMS2 genotype, including mediation analysis.Change in square root GA area over time.GA enlargement was significantly faster in eyes with RPD (P0.0001), at 0.379 (95% CI 0.329-0.430) versus 0.273 mm/year (0.256-0.289). The rate was also significantly faster in individuals carrying ARMS2 risk alleles (P0.0001), at 0.224 (95% CI 0.198-0.250), 0.287 (0.263-0.310), and 0.307 mm/year (0.273-0.341), in those with 0-2 risk alleles, respectively. In mediation analysis, the direct effect of ARMS2 genotype on GA enlargement was 0.074 mm/year (95% CI 0.009-0.139, P=0.025), whereas the indirect effect of ARMS2 genotype via RPD status was 0.002 mm/year (95% CI -0.006-0.009, P=0.64). In eyes with incident GA, RPD presence was not associated with altered likelihood of central involvement (P=0.29) or multifocality (P=0.16) at incidence. In eyes with incident non-central GA, RPD presence was associated with faster GA progression to the central macula (P=0.009), at 157 (95% CI 126-188) versus 111 μm/year (97-125). Similar findings were observed in the AREDS, as a validation dataset.GA enlargement is faster in eyes with RPD and in individuals carrying ARMS2 risk alleles. However, RPD status does not mediate the association between ARMS2 genotype and faster enlargement. RPD presence and ARMS2 genotype are relatively independent risk factors and must lead to faster enlargement by distinct mechanisms. RPD presence does not predict central involvement or multifocality at GA incidence, but is associated with faster progression towards the central macula. These findings have implications for clinical trials and clinical practice; RPD status should be considered for improved predictions of enlargement rate.

To analyze reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) as an independent risk factor for progression to late age-related macular degeneration (AMD), alongside traditional macular risk factors (soft drusen and pigmentary abnormalities) considered simultaneously.Post hoc analysis of 2 clinical trial cohorts: Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and AREDS2.Eyes with no late AMD at baseline in AREDS (6959 eyes, 3780 participants) and AREDS2 (3355 eyes, 2056 participants).Color fundus photographs (CFPs) from annual visits were graded for soft drusen, pigmentary abnormalities, and late AMD. Presence of RPD was from grading of fundus autofluorescence images (AREDS2) and deep learning grading of CFPs (AREDS). Proportional hazards regression analyses were performed, considering AREDS AMD severity scales (modified simplified severity scale [person] and 9-step scale [eye]) and RPD presence simultaneously.Progression to late AMD, geographic atrophy (GA), and neovascular AMD.In AREDS, for late AMD analyses by person, in a model considering the simplified severity scale simultaneously, RPD presence was associated with a higher risk of progression: hazard ratio (HR), 2.15 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75-2.64). However, the risk associated with RPD presence differed at different severity scale levels: HR, 3.23 (95% CI, 1.60-6.51), HR, 3.81 (95% CI, 2.38-6.10), HR, 2.28 (95% CI, 1.59-3.27), and HR, 1.64 (95% CI, 1.20-2.24), at levels 0-1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Considering the 9-step scale (by eye), RPD presence was associated with higher risk: HR, 2.54 (95% CI, 2.07-3.13). The HRs were 5.11 (95% CI, 3.93-6.66) at levels 1-6 and 1.78 (95% CI, 1.43-2.22) at levels 7 and 8. In AREDS2, by person, RPD presence was not associated with higher risk: HR, 1.18 (95% CI, 0.90-1.56); by eye, it was HR, 1.57 (95% CI, 1.31-1.89). In both cohorts, RPD presence carried a higher risk for GA than neovascular AMD.Reticular pseudodrusen represent an important risk factor for progression to late AMD, particularly GA. However, the added risk varies markedly by severity level, with highly increased risk at lower/moderate levels and less increased risk at higher levels. Reticular pseudodrusen status should be included in updated AMD classification systems, risk calculators, and clinical trials.

Purpose To compare rates of peripheral retinal changes in Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) participants with at least intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with control subjects without intermediate age-related changes (large drusen). Design Cross-sectional evaluation of clinic-based patients enrolled in AREDS2 and a prospective study. Participants Participants from prospective studies. Methods The 200° pseudocolor and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images were captured on the Optos 200 Tx Ultrawide-field device (Optos, Dunfermline, Scotland) by centering on the fovea and then steering superiorly and inferiorly. The montaged images were graded at a reading center with the images divided into 3 zones (zone 1 [posterior pole], zone 2 [midperiphery], and zone 3 [far periphery]) to document the presence of peripheral lesions. Main Outcome Measures Peripheral retinal lesions: drusen, hypopigmentary/hyperpigmentary changes, reticular pseudodrusen, senile reticular pigmentary changes, cobblestone degeneration, and FAF abnormalities. Results A total of 484 (951 eyes) AREDS2 participants with AMD (cases) and 89 (163 eyes) controls without AMD had gradable color and FAF images. In zones 2 and 3, neovascularization and geographic atrophy (GA) were present, ranging from 0.4% to 6% in eyes of cases, respectively, and GA was present in 1% of eyes of controls. Drusen were detected in 97%, 78%, and 64% of eyes of cases and 48%, 21%, and 9% of eyes of controls in zones 2 and 3 superior and 3 inferior, respectively ( P P Conclusions Peripheral retinal changes are more prevalent in eyes with AMD than in control eyes. Drusen are seen in a majority of eyes with AMD in both the mid and far periphery, whereas pigment changes and features of advanced AMD are less frequent. Age-related macular degeneration may be more than a "macular" condition but one that involves the entire retina. Future longitudinal studies of peripheral changes in AMD and their impact on visual function may contribute to understanding AMD pathogenesis.

Purpose To investigate the comparative efficacy of bevacizumab (Avastin) and ranibizumab (Lucentis; both Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA) for diabetic macular edema (DME) using a crossover study design. Design Randomized, double-masked, 36-week, 3-period crossover clinical trial. Participants Fifty-six subjects with DME involving the center of the macula in one or both eyes. Methods Monthly intravitreous injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg) or ranibizumab (0.3 mg). Main Outcome Measures Comparison of mean changes in visual acuity and central retinal thickness, tested using a linear mixed-effects model. Results Based on the linear mixed-effects model, the 3-month estimated mean improvement in visual acuity was 5.3 letters for bevacizumab and 6.6 letters for ranibizumab (difference, 1.3 letters; P = 0.039). Estimated change in optical coherence tomography (OCT) central subfield mean thickness (CSMT) was −89 μm for bevacizumab and −137 μm for ranibizumab (difference, 48 μm; P Conclusions This trial demonstrated a statistically significant but small relative clinical benefit of ranibizumab compared with bevacizumab for treatment of DME, using a markedly reduced sample size relative to a full comparative efficacy study. The effects on visual acuity and central retinal thickness for the 2 drugs are consistent with those reported at 1 year for the concurrent parallel-group trial by the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network testing bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept for DME. The 3-period crossover design allowed for meaningful and efficient comparison, suggesting that this approach may be useful for future comparative efficacy studies of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor drugs for DME.

Purpose To investigate the natural history of dark adaptation (DA) function as measured by the change in rod intercept time (RIT) over 4 years and to correlate RIT change with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) severity. Design Longitudinal, single-center, observational study. Participants A total of 77 participants aged ≥50 years with a range of AMD severities. Methods Participants each contributing a single study eye to the analysis were assigned into person-based AMD severity groups based on fundus characteristics (drusen, pigmentary changes, late AMD, and subretinal drusenoid deposits [SDDs]). The DA function was assessed in study eyes at baseline and 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months. Mean change in DA function over time was calculated using the slope of linear regression fits of longitudinal RIT data. Patient-reported responses on a Low Luminance Questionnaire (LLQ) were obtained at baseline and yearly. Nonparametric statistical testing was performed on all comparisons. Main outcome measure The RIT, defined as the time taken after a photobleach for visual sensitivity to recover detection of a 5×10-3 cd/m2 stimulus (a decrease of 3 log units), was monitored in study eyes over 4 years, and the mean rate of change was computed. Results Longitudinal analysis of 65 study eyes followed on the standard testing protocol (mean age, 71±9.3 years; 49% were female) revealed that higher rates of RIT prolongation were correlated with AMD severity group assignment at baseline (P = 0.026) and with severity group assignments at year 4 (P = 0.0011). Study eyes that developed SDD during follow-up demonstrated higher rates of RIT prolongation relative to those that did not (P Conclusions Longitudinal decline in DA function, which correlated with patient-reported functional deficits, was accelerated in eyes with greater AMD severity and especially in eyes with SDD both at baseline and at 4 years. The RIT prolongation as a measure of changing DA function may be a functional outcome measure in AMD clinical studies.

Purpose We investigate whether ocular and person-based characteristics were associated with dark adaptation (DA). Design Cross-sectional, single-center, observational study. Participants One hundred sixteen participants older than 50 years of age with a range of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) severity. Methods Participants underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing, ophthalmoscopic examination, and multimodal imaging. Presence of reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) was assessed by masked grading of fundus images and was confirmed with optical coherence tomography. Eyes also were graded for AMD features (drusen, pigmentary changes, late AMD) to generate person-based AMD severity groups. One eye was designated the study eye for DA testing. Nonparametric statistical testing was performed on all comparisons. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome of this study was the rod intercept time (RIT), which is defined as the time for a participant's visual sensitivity to recover to a stimulus intensity of 5×10 −3 cd/m 2 (a decrease of 3 log units), or until a maximum test duration of 40 minutes was reached. Results A total of 116 study eyes from 116 participants (mean age, 75.4±9.4 years; 58% female) were analyzed. Increased RIT was associated significantly with increasing AMD severity, increasing age ( r = 0.34; P = 0.0002), decreasing BCVA ( r = −0.54; P P = 0.03), and decreasing subfoveal choroidal thickness ( r = −0.27; P = 0.003). Study eyes with RPD (15/116 [13%]) had a significantly greater mean RIT compared with eyes without RPD in any AMD severity group ( P Conclusions Impairments in DA increased with age, worse visual acuity, presence of RPD, AMD severity, and decreased subfoveal choroidal thickness. Analysis of covariance found the multivariate model that best fit the data included age, AMD group, and presence of RPD ( R 2 = 0.56), with the presence of RPD conferring the largest parameter estimate.

PURPOSE: We investigate whether responses on a Low Luminance Questionnaire (LLQ), in patients with a range of AMD severity, are associated with their performance on focal dark adaptation (DA) testing and with choroidal thickness. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, single-center, observational study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and thirteen participants older than 50 years of age with a range of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) severity. METHODS: Participants answered the LLQ on the same day that they underwent DA testing using a focal dark adaptometer measuring rod intercept time (RIT). We performed univariable and multivariable analyses of the LLQ scores and age, RIT, AMD severity, subfoveal choroidal thickness [SFCT], phakic status, and best-corrected visual acuity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome of this study was the score on the 32-question LLQ. Each item in the LLQ is designated to one of six subscales describing functional problems in low luminance: driving, emotional distress, mobility, extreme lighting, peripheral vision, and general dim lighting. Scores were computed for each subscale, in addition to a weighted total mean score. RESULTS: Responses from 113 participants (mean age, 76.2 ± 9.3 years; 58.4% female) and 113 study eyes were analyzed. Univariable analysis demonstrated that lower scores on all LLQ subscales were correlated with prolonged DA testing (longer RIT) and decreased choroidal thickness. All associations were statistically significant except for the association of choroidal thickness and ‘peripheral vision’. The strongest association was the LLQ subscale of driving with RIT (r = −0.97, p

To compare rates of peripheral retinal changes in Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) participants with at least intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with control subjects without intermediate age-related changes (large drusen).Cross-sectional evaluation of clinic-based patients enrolled in AREDS2 and a prospective study.Participants from prospective studies.The 200° pseudocolor and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images were captured on the Optos 200 Tx Ultrawide-field device (Optos, Dunfermline, Scotland) by centering on the fovea and then steering superiorly and inferiorly. The montaged images were graded at a reading center with the images divided into 3 zones (zone 1 [posterior pole], zone 2 [midperiphery], and zone 3 [far periphery]) to document the presence of peripheral lesions.Peripheral retinal lesions: drusen, hypopigmentary/hyperpigmentary changes, reticular pseudodrusen, senile reticular pigmentary changes, cobblestone degeneration, and FAF abnormalities.A total of 484 (951 eyes) AREDS2 participants with AMD (cases) and 89 (163 eyes) controls without AMD had gradable color and FAF images. In zones 2 and 3, neovascularization and geographic atrophy (GA) were present, ranging from 0.4% to 6% in eyes of cases, respectively, and GA was present in 1% of eyes of controls. Drusen were detected in 97%, 78%, and 64% of eyes of cases and 48%, 21%, and 9% of eyes of controls in zones 2 and 3 superior and 3 inferior, respectively (P0.001 for all). Peripheral reticular pseudodrusen were seen in 15%. Senile reticular pigmentary change was the predominant peripheral change seen in 48% of cases and 16% of controls in zone 2 (P0.001). Nonreticular pigment changes were less frequent in the periphery than in the posterior pole (46% vs. 76%) and negligible in controls.Peripheral retinal changes are more prevalent in eyes with AMD than in control eyes. Drusen are seen in a majority of eyes with AMD in both the mid and far periphery, whereas pigment changes and features of advanced AMD are less frequent. Age-related macular degeneration may be more than a "macular" condition but one that involves the entire retina. Future longitudinal studies of peripheral changes in AMD and their impact on visual function may contribute to understanding AMD pathogenesis.

Objective To describe the natural history of eyes with drusenoid pigment epithelial detachments (DPEDs) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design Multicenter, clinic-based, prospective cohort study. Participants Among 4757 participants enrolled in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), 255 were identified as having DPED in at least 1 eye and having 5 or more years of follow-up after the initial detection of the DPED. Methods Baseline and annual fundus photographs were evaluated for the evolution of the fundus features and the development of advanced AMD in the forms of central geographic atrophy (CGA) or neovascular (NV) AMD. Kaplan–Meier analyses of progression to advanced AMD and of moderate vision loss (≥15 letters compared with baseline) were performed. Main Outcome Measures Rate of progression to advanced AMD and change in visual acuity from baseline (in terms of mean letters lost and proportion losing ≥15 letters). Results A total of 311 eyes (from 255 participants) with DPED were followed for a median follow-up time of 8 years subsequent to the initial detection of a DPED. Of the 282 eyes that did not have advanced AMD at baseline, advanced AMD developed within 5 years in 119 eyes (42%) (19% progressing to CGA and 23% progressing to NV-AMD). In the remaining eyes that did not develop advanced AMD (n=163), progressive fundus changes, typified by the development of calcified drusen and pigmentary changes, were detected. Visual decline was prominent among study eyes, with approximately 40% of all eyes decreasing in visual acuity by ≥15 letters at 5 years follow-up. Mean visual acuity decreased from 76 letters (∼20/30) at baseline to 61 letters (∼20/60) at 5 years. Five-year decreases in mean visual acuity averaged 26 letters for eyes progressing to advanced AMD and 8 letters for non-progressing eyes. Conclusions The natural history of eyes containing DPED is characterized by a high rate of progression to both CGA and NV-AMD. Among eyes not progressing to advanced AMD, progressive development of pigmentary changes and calcified drusen were observed. Decline of visual acuity is a common outcome, with or without progression to advanced forms of AMD. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.