Using the AdaptDx to Identify and Monitor AMD
Mark Pyfer, MD
Dr. Pyfer discusses how the AdaptDx® is used to identify early stages of age-related macular degeneration, as well as how it can monitor progression of the disease.
Video Transcript:
The AdaptDx performs two patient friendly and non-invasive tests:
- Rapid AdaptDx Test – The rapid test lasts no more than 6.5 minutes to provide a quick yes/no assessment of whether dark adaptation is impaired.
- Extended AdaptDx Test – For patients who fail the rapid test, there’s an extended test of no longer than 20 minutes that provides a benchmark RI for tracking progression of AMD.
Both tests are easy to administer because there is no pre-adaptation or pupil dilation required, only a darkened room for testing. We can quickly measure the patient’s RI and they can return to their busy lives. A growing number of ophthalmologists and optometrists are now offering the AdaptDx tests in their offices to help detect and monitor AMD in their patients.
Every Patient Over 50 Should Get the AdaptDx Test
Every patient over the age of 50, particularly those with other risk factors for macular degeneration, should receive the rapid test as part of their annual eye exam. Because macular degeneration can progress without warning, monitoring changes in their RI provides the best chance to detect the earliest signs of disease and intervene appropriately. AdaptDx gives us a better way to serve the needs of this growing group of patients.
Differentiating Between Cataract and AMD
Symptoms of another common age-related condition, namely cataracts, are similar to early macular degeneration but cataracts are curable with surgery. Dark adaptation is not impaired by a cataract so the AdaptDx is able to quickly differentiate between cataract and early AMD as the cause of impaired night vision.
Detect AMD Early and Take Action
Identifying macular degeneration before vision loss has begun can allow doctors to prescribe ocular vitamins and recommend lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and losing weight, that may slow the progress of the disease and preserve vision. When it comes to protecting the vision of your patients, knowledge is power. The earlier we can detect a problem with the AdaptDx, the better we can manage it. Knowing your patients RI is the key to detecting AMD and limiting the impact to their vision by actively monitoring and managing the condition. As new treatments for AMD become available, we’ll be able to do even more to preserve the sight of patients whose RI indicates they are in the early stages of the disease.