Researchers evaluated a new technology called multiline adaptive perimetry (MAP), designed to assess functional integrity of the central visual field by providing quantitative measurements of pathological distortions such as metamorphopsia and more severe defects associated with visual scotoma. After running simulations of MAP with a computerized model of a human observer and with eight patents with macular disease, results revealed strong repeatability of the assessment and high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in classifying patient eyes with severe visual impairment.

The study found a significant relationship in terms of the spatial patterns of performance across visual field loci derived from MAP and microperimetry. Researchers believe the spatial resolution of MAP could allow combining it with microperimetry to project measurements of visual field functional integrity onto the anatomical surface of the retina and get a more composite view of visual abilities beyond light sensitivity. However, there was a lack of correspondence between MAP and subjective Amsler grid reports in isolating perceptually distorted regions.

Researchers concluded that further research is needed to examine whether MAP may be useful as a diagnostic tool for detecting early macular degeneration and whether the assessment’s measurements may be useful for tracking disease progression over time to detect the onset of choroidal neovascularization or wet age-related macular degeneration.