RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Drusen volume development over time and its relevance to the course of age-related macular degeneration JF British Journal of Ophthalmology JO Br J Ophthalmol FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. SP 198 OP 203 DO 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2016-308422 VO 101 IS 2 A1 Schlanitz, Ferdinand G A1 Baumann, Bernhard A1 Kundi, Michael A1 Sacu, Stefan A1 Baratsits, Magdalena A1 Scheschy, Ulrike A1 Shahlaee, Abtin A1 Mittermüller, Tamara J A1 Montuoro, Alessio A1 Roberts, Philipp A1 Pircher, Michael A1 Hitzenberger, Christoph K A1 Schmidt-Erfurth, Ursula YR 2017 UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/101/2/198.abstract AB Aims To quantify the change in drusen volume over time and identify its prognostic value for individual risk assessment.Methods A prospective observational study over a minimum of 3 years and maximum of 5 years and follow-up examination every 3 months was conducted at the ophthalmology department of the Medical University of Vienna. 109 patients presenting early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were included, of which 30 patients concluded a regular follow-up for at least 3 years. 50 eyes of 30 patients were imaged every 3 months using spectral-domain and polarisation-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT). Drusen volume was measured using an automated algorithm. Data of a 6-month follow-up were segmented manually by expert graders.Results Gradings from 24 000 individual B-scans showed solid correlation between manual and automated segmentation with an initial mean drusen volume of 0.17 mm3. The increase in drusen volume was shown to be comparable among all eyes, and a model for long-term drusen volume development could be fitted as a cubic polynomial function and an R2=0.955. Spontaneous drusen regression was observed in 22 of 50 eyes. In this group, four eyes developed choroidal neovascularisation and three geographic atrophy.Conclusions Drusen volume increase over time can be described by a cubic function. Spontaneous regression appears to precede conversion to advanced AMD. OCT might be a promising tool for predicting the individual risk of progression of AMD.