Reticular Pseudodrusen Progression Study

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in industrial countries. Reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) have been recognized as an additional phenotypic characteristic frequently observed in patients with AMD. Several studies have proven that the prevalence of RPD is associated with AMD as well as a high risk of disease progression to geographic atrophy, the late form of dry AMD. The pathogenesis of RPD is yet still incompletely understood. Retrospective studies have demonstrated that the RPD affected retinal area increases over time. Potential factors influencing progression of RPD have not been intensely studied and potentially predictive markers are yet unknown. The primary objective of this study is to characterize RPD progression in more detail and to identify predictive markers of RPD progression and development of AMD late stages.