Quantitative analysis of optical coherence tomography in age related macular degeneration

Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a common degenerative disorder of macula in people above 50 years. The dry and wet/neovascular forms can lead to loss of vision. Optical coherence tomography is a popular tool in the diagnosis of AMRD. Aim of the study is to assess the Optical Coherence Tomography to diagnose the Age Related Macular Degeneration in a tertiary care centre. This prospective hospital based study was conducted on 50 patients presenting with age related macular degeneration clinically (100 eyes). Inclusion criteria was patients newly diagnosed clinically as ARMD and on no treatment. Exclusion criteria was Patients already diagnosed ARMD and on treatment, Patients with other retinal and macular diseases, and previous laser treatment. There were 42(84%) of patients are of 50-70 years age. Males were 21, and females were 29 without significant difference (p=0.7). Out of 100 eyes, 32% diagnosed as wet ARMD and 60% eyes had dry ARMD Dry ARMD is common in females (34%) and wet ARMD common in males (26%). In dry ARMD cases, 77.04% eyes had drusen by OCT, and 72.72% eyes had classic Choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVM). OCT showed sub-foveal CNVM as the common type of classic CNVM. 16 men were smokers, and 36 patients have hypertension. Smoking was significantly associated with ARMD (P < 0.05). Increased prevalence of wet ARMD in males due to smoking, which leads to risk for CNVM. Smoking was significantly associated with ARMD (P < 0.01) in our study. The prevalence was increased with increasing age. Dry ARMD was much more common than Wet ARMD, and both types increased in frequency with increasing age. ARMD is more common in females. OCT is highly specific in detecting the early sub-retinal neo vascular membrane and to assess the activity of neovascular membranes in early wet ARMD.