Home-monitoring device helps to detect CNV earlier

FLORENCE, Italy — Home monitoring with a preferential hyperacuity perimetry device allows early detection of choroidal neovascularization-related changes in patients with early age-related macular degeneration.

“Early detection means better preservation of vision, better outcomes of therapy,” Anat Loewenstein, MD, PhD, said at the FLOREtina meeting.

Anat Loewenstein

Subgroup analysis of the CATT trial, the UK Neovascular AMD EMR Database multicenter study and other studies with up to 5 years of follow-up showed that small lesion size and better visual acuity at baseline predict a better visual acuity.

“But in real life, patients find out they have AMD when they already have symptoms of metamorphopsia. Even when they enter studies, only a small percentage of patients have good functional vision,” Loewenstein said.

The ForeseeHome test (Notal Vision), based on preferential hyperacuity perimetry, allows early home-based detection of visual field distortions generated by CNV lesions. Patients with early-stage AMD are prescribed to perform the test at regular intervals, and their responses are automatically transmitted to a specialized monitoring center.

“The device was used in the AREDS2-HOME study. In the group using the home-monitoring device, CNV lesions were detected earlier. Patients lost fewer letters and had a higher chance of having functional vision at the time of diagnosis and at the end of the study,” Loewenstein said.

She believes that the device is a simple, effective way of improving results in AMD.

“We are fighting over letters in optimizing treatment, while with earlier detection we can save lines,” she said. – by Michela Cimberle

Disclosure: Loewenstein reports she is a consultant to Notal Vision.