Abstract

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly. Histopathologically AMD is characterized by diffuse changes in Bruch’s membrane and in many cases by the development of drusen. The pathogenesis of AMD is thought to derive from abnormalities of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE). The RPE is critically important for the nourishment and health of the photoreceptors. For this reason we are using a psychophysical measure of photoreceptor function to examine patients with AMD. The measure used is the change in the color-match with retinal illuminance which provides information on the optical density and regeneration of the cone photopigments.

© 1991 Optical Society of America