These can light up problem areas and show everything from protein deposits to fluid under the retina.
It will also highlight some look-alike conditions that may mimic geographic atrophy.
Here are some tests that can potentially help put you in control of the monitoring process.
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It is a grid-like pattern you’re free to print out.
Then a new line will appear, and you repeat the process.
The test takes about three minutes.
Unlike the at-home approach, where you test your vision, the ophthalmologist checks you during an office visit.
On average, a physical eye exam is given roughly every six months.
There are no such tests available to diagnose geographic atrophy.
The ophthalmologist must make the diagnosis with a physical examination and imaging.
These include the following.
Fundus Autofluorescence
In geographic atrophy, there is a loss ofretinal pigment epithelium.
Undergoing fundus autofluorescence is standard in making a diagnosis.
This technology can show where the retinal pigment epithelium is present.
The test shows a dark patch in areas where the retinal pigment epithelium is no longer there.
This makes it possible to determine where the geographic atrophy is located.
OCT relies on infrared light reflected off the retina to show where retinal tissue is thinning from geographic atrophy.
it’s possible for you to then compare this initial photograph to ones taken on other dates.
However, pattern dystrophy tends to be less severe than AMD.
While you may still experience some blurring with pattern dystrophy, it’s possible to continue reading and driving.
If geographic atrophy is determined, speak to your ophthalmologist for support and to assess treatment options.
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American Academy of Ophthalmology.Geographic atrophy.
Review of Optometry.Sizing up geographic atrophy.
Bright Focus Foundation.Retinal imaging for diagnosing and treating AMD.
