Rod-mediated Dark Adaptation as a Functional Biomarker for Early AMD

Abstract

Approved strategies for reducing the burden of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) focus on preventing or stabilizing neovascularization and slowing the progression of preexisting atrophy. Yet, the vast majority of people with AMD have earlier disease. I will describe my research over the past 20 years addressing a psychophysical test, rod-mediated dark adaptation, that is linked to early and intermediate AMD, which potentially could be used as a functional endpoint in trials focused on early disease. I will also describe how rod-mediated dark adaptation is linked to structural characteristics of AMD in its earlier phases