Abstract

Aim: To determine differential light threshold values obtained with the Micro Perimeter 1 (MP1) in uveitis patients suffering from cystoid macular edema (CME) and to compare these measures to retinal thickness.

Methods: Static threshold perimetry was performed with the MP1 Microperimeter in 27 eyes of 21 patients with a history of chronically recurring CME. Active CME was confirmed in 19 eyes. Eight eyes with a history of recurrent CME were found to have normal foveal contours in optical coherence tomography (OCT). Differential light threshold values (MP1) were compared to the corresponding retinal thickness measures (OCT).

Results: Mean differential threshold values within the central two degrees of the stimulation pattern were reduced compared to normal values and ranged from 5.8 to 9.5 dB in CME eyes and from 9.3 to 12.9 dB in eyes with normal foveal contour but a history of previous CME. The corresponding mean retinal thickness ranged from 390±90 to 389±88 μm (at 0° and 1°, respectively) for active CME and from 199±36 to 211±33 μm in eyes with normal fovea following CME resolution. Statistical correlations between mean differential sensitivity threshold and retinal thickness were only weak and showed no association.

Conclusions: Active CME causes a marked reduction of central retinal sensitivity. In addition, following the resolution of the CME, a substantial impairment of central retinal sensitivity remains. Morphology in terms of retinal thickness in OCT does not correlate with visual function in terms of retinal sensitivity in these patients.