An Evaluation of Two Candidate Functional Biomarkers for AMD

作者：McKeague Claire; Binns Alison M; Margrain Tom H^*

来源：Optometry and Vision Science, 2014, 91(8): 916-924.

DOI：10.1097/OPX.0000000000000318

• repeatability
• age-related macular degeneration
• biomarkers
• color vision
• flicker

Purpose. To evaluate the intersession repeatability of the Colour Assessment and Diagnosis (CAD) test and a novel 14-Hz flicker test in a population of healthy participants to provide benchmark data for their use as functional biomarkers for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). %26lt;br%26gt;Methods. Visual function was assessed using both techniques in 30 healthy adults (mean [ standard deviation] age 36.3 [14.1] years) on two separate days. Intersession repeatability of RG and YB CAD thresholds and 14-Hz flicker thresholds was assessed by determining their coefficient of repeatability (CoR). %26lt;br%26gt;Results. The CoR was calculated to be 0.39 CAD units (17.0%) for RG thresholds, 0.43 CAD units (31.1%) for YB thresholds, and 0.015 (53.4%) for 14-Hz flicker contrast thresholds. On average, thresholds improved by 4.72% (RG), 6.33% (YB), and 13.3% (14-Hz flicker) between visits 1 and 2, suggesting a small but consistent learning effect. The CoR for all parameters was relatively small compared to the mean thresholds obtained (RG: mean 2.27 [4.58], CoR 0.39; YB: mean 1.37 [0.55], CoR 0.43; 14-Hz flicker: mean 0.028 [0.01], CoR 0.015). %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusions. This study has described the repeatability of the CAD and 14-Hz flicker tests. These data can help clinicians decide if the results from repeated measures are of clinical significance. Despite pretest training, there was some evidence of a learning effect. Therefore, clinical trials using these techniques should ensure training is sufficient to minimize these effects.

• 出版日期2014-8