The association between cone density and visual function in the macula of patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We observed cone photoreceptors by using adaptive optics (AO) fundus camera and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and examined the correlations between cone photoreceptors and visual function over 2 years. METHODS: Six patients with RP were studied. All patients underwent measurement using best-corrected decimal visual acuity, OCT, a Humphrey Field Analyzer with the 10-2 test grid pattern, and AO. AO images of the foveal center were obtained using an rtx1™ AO fundus camera, and cone counting was performed at 0.5 mm from the foveal center. RESULTS: AO detected a decrease of cone density over 2 years in RP patients. However, visual acuity, foveal sensitivity, and photoreceptor thickness were not changed over the 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: AO images showed a decrease in the number of foveal cone densities over 2 years in patients with RP. AO may shorten the period required to predict the RP progression rate.