The effect of age-related macular degeneration on polarization pattern perception
Affiliation
Aston University, Birmingham; South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation TrustPublication date
2021-08Subject
Ophthalmology
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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if a battery of polarization-modulated stimuli, quantified as a single metric, is effective in identifying macular disease in the presence/absence of cataract or pseudophakia. Methods: Using a modified liquid crystal display, polarization pattern perception (PPP) for a formulated battery of geometric and logMAR stimuli was evaluated in participants that had either no eye pathology (healthy participants) or were grouped according to the presence of cataract, pseudophakia, and/or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PPP was quantified as response frequencies to individual stimuli, and as a novel monocular polarization sensitivity score (Ps) based on perception of the stimulus battery set. Results: Stimulus response frequencies were pattern-dependent and, compared with healthy participants, reduced for cataract and AMD groups but not for subjects with pseudophakia. Compared with healthy eyes (n = 47, median Ps = 17), Ps was significantly reduced by AMD (n = 59, median Ps = 1, P < 0.001) and, to a lesser extent, by cataracts (n = 80, median Ps = 6, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between Ps for healthy and pseudophakic eyes (n = 47, median Ps = 13, P = 0.323). There was no significant correlation between Ps and logMAR visual acuity. Conclusions: In the absence of significant cataract, or in pseudophakia, a set of polarization-modulated visual stimuli, quantified as the Ps score, distinguishes AMD from healthy maculae. Translational relevance: Perception of polarization-modulated stimuli, previously shown to be macula-dependent in a laboratory setting, is effective as a test of macular function in health and disease in a clinic setting.Citation
Misson GP, Anderson SJ, Armstrong RA, Gilett M, Reynolds D. The Effect of Age-Related Macular Degeneration on Polarization Pattern Perception. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2021 Aug 2;10(9):8. doi: 10.1167/tvst.10.9.8.Type
ArticlePMID
34351366ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1167/tvst.10.9.8