Purpose: To demonstrate the rehabilitation benefit and immediate optical magnification and electronic equipment advantage in an age-related macular degeneration population with retrofoveal choroidal new-vessels treated by photodynamic therapy using Visudyne.
Patients and methods: Sixty seven consecutive patients with retrofoveal choroidal new-vessels treated by Photodynamic Therapy using Visudyne were referred to an orthoptist for low-vision rehabilitation. The criteria investigated for this study were: long distance visual acuity, reading ability, contrast sensitivity, (before treatment and during post-treatment examinations), and fixation localization and optical equipment model.
Results: This study showed and studied visual acuity variations, mostly for patients with good visual acuity at inclusion. Contrast sensitivity stayed more or less the same. Retinal fixation was foveolar most of the time (68.7%). Optical or electronic devices for low-vision patients are numerous and video systems were the most currently used among our population. 62.7% des patients had low-vision rehabilitation with optic aids.
Discussion and conclusion: This study threw light on patient optic aids which must be prescribed according to his needs and difficulties, without delay. This equipment will then be readapted at each stage of the patient evolution. PDT treatment gives an important role to low-vision rehabilitation associated with optic magnification aids.