Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Predominantly Black Population

Abstract

Background and Objective: We intend to study the characteristics and outcomes of an understudied patient population with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Patients and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated presenting features and outcomes in a predominantly Black patient population with nAMD. A multivariate regression explored baseline characteristics predictive of 1-year vision. Results: Sixty-three eyes were included. The median (interquartile range) baseline vision was 20/300 (20/80 to counting fingers). Patients' baseline optical coherence tomography findings showed a mean central subfield thickness of 336 µm; 80% ( n = 35) and 41% ( n = 18) had fluid and central scarring, respectively. The primary predictor for vision at year-one was baseline vision ( P = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.91). All of those who gained ≥ 3 lines of vision lacked central scarring at baseline. Conclusion: Further studies are needed to investigate how to improve earlier detection and treatment of nAMD in this patient population. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:580–584.]