[Visual Acuity and Visual Field in Optic Disc Drusen].

BACKGROUND

It has been assumed that visual field defects in optic disc drusen slowly increase with age or occur during adolescence and do not change substantially in later years. In our study, we aimed to validate these assumptions.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

255 consecutive cases with optic disc drusen were identified from the patient records of the University Eye Hospital Tübingen; the diagnosis was verified and visual fields were quantified as long as available and of sufficient quality. Additionally, visual acuity was evaluated.

RESULTS

In 104 cases, quantifiable visual fields of sufficient quality for both eyes were available. In general, few patients with marked visual field defects could be detected. Only three patients showed visual field defects of ≥ 50% in both eyes. Both eyes were usually involved to approximately the same extent. Older age was correlated with more visual field defects. Only one patient remained below visual acuity of 0.3 in both eyes.

DISCUSSION: By means of our patient base, a continuous slight decline in the visual field with age can be assumed. Marked visual field defects were rare. The same was true for visual acuity, which showed some mild decline above the age of 60 years.