Hidenori Takahashi, Yuji Inoue, Xue Tan, Satoru Inoda, Shinichi Sakamoto, Yusuke Arai, Yasuo Yanagi, Yujiro Fujino, Hidetoshi Kawashima

To investigate the correlation between visual acuity and central macular thickness (CMT) and choroidal thickness (CCT) in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this retrospective analysis, 14 eyes that received >10 ranibizumab injections (based on pro re nata [PRN] regimen) and maintained initial visual acuity gain were analyzed. The following 5 parameters were measured at the foveal center: CMT (distance from the inner limiting membrane [ILM] to Bruch's membrane); central retinal thickness (CRT; distance from the ILM to the inner limit of the retinal pigment epithelium or subretinal fluid [SRF]); SRF thickness (SRFT); pigment epithelium detachment thickness (PEDT); and CCT. The correlation between the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the 5 parameters was examined with generalized estimating equations. CMT, CRT, and CCT were negatively correlated with logMAR BCVA (P=0.031, 0.023, and 0.036, respectively) when only CMT values less than the thickness that maximized visual acuity for each eye were used for the analysis. Each 100-μm reduction in CMT, CRT, or CCT improved logMAR BCVA by -0.1, -0.08, or -0.07, respectively. SRFT and PEDT were not correlated with BCVA. The median CMT that maximized the visual acuity was 230 μm. Dry macula with CMT <230 μm was associated with temporary decrease in visual acuity in AMD patients whose visual acuity was maintained with PRN regimen.