Fixation stability as a goal in the treatment of macular disease

Abstract

Recent advances in the treatment of macular diseases have improved macular anatomy and function as measured and quantified by visual acuity, retinal thickness, and vascular changes detailed by fluorescein angiography. Such observed changes do not always explain improvement in visual function and do not always correlate with patient satisfaction. In some cases, there is poor correlation between anatomic changes and functional improvement. Microperimetry studies on fixation stability after treatment of macular diseases have shown a strong correlation between better fixation stability and visual acuity. Furthermore, achieving better fixation stability facilitates low-vision rehabilitation. These microperimetry findings suggest that fixation stability should be regarded as an important outcome measure in studies of macular disease treatment and should be considered in clinical and research studies of low-vision rehabilitation in cases of treated macular diseases.