Advancements in AMD Testing

Types of AMD Tests

While not exhaustive, below is an overview of current methods used to assess, diagnose, and monitor AMD.

Functional Assessment

Functional testing for impaired dark adaptation not only helps to accurately detect AMD at a subclinical stage,ii it is also a tool used to monitor the disease and measure treatment effectiveness.

• Dark Adaptation

Structural Evaluations

Several imaging tests are used to evaluate physical changes in the macula. These can detect and monitor drusen formation and changes in size, plus geographic atrophy (GA) and neovascularization in later stages.

• Clinical Examination with Slit Lamp
• Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA)
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
• Fundus Autofluorescence Imaging (AF)

Risk Factor Testing

Several tests can be administered to assess the likelihood of developing AMD. These are not diagnostic tools, but are used to identify patients with higher risk for macular degeneration.

• Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD)
• Family History
• Genetic Testing

Late-Stage Progression Tools

Though useful for monitoring progression in the late stages of the disease, these tests are not considered sensitive enough to diagnose AMD at an early stage.

• Visual Acuity
• Amsler Grid
• Contrast Sensitivity
• ERG
• Macular Visual Field
• Microperimetry
• Color Vision

Testing for Subclinical AMD

Diagnosing the earliest stages of AMD can present a challenge because patients are often asymptomatic, have good corrected visual acuity, and the retina looks normal upon structural evaluation. Consequently, a routine vision test and structural evaluations may not raise any suspicion of the disease.

Fortunately, we now know that impaired dark adaptation function is the earliest biomarker of AMD—with impairment taking place at a subclinical level at least three years before drusen are visible.ii By measuring dark adaptation function in patients over age 50—especially when presenting with night vision complaints—eye care professionals can now detect subclinical AMD before any damage has been done.ii Once subclinical AMD is diagnosed, disease progression can be slowed through early treatment and proactive disease management.

Early Detection with AdaptDx Pro

AdaptDx Pro^® is the only test for dark adaptation that can be used quickly and effectively in a clinical setting. It uses an objective functional measure called the Rod Intercept^® (RI^®). Unlike traditional dark adaptation testing, the AdaptDx Pro Rapid Test takes less than 6.5 minutes. Easy to administer and interpret, it is reimbursable and detects AMD with 90.6% accuracy.ii

Using a single number, the Rod Intercept, you can identify dark adaptation consistent with AMD before your patient experiences irreversible vision loss.