Evaluating reading performance in different preferred retinal loci in Persian-speaking patients with age-related macular degeneration

Purpose: To evaluate reading performance in different preferred retinal loci (PRLs) using a Persian version of a Minnesota Low Vision Reading (MNREAD) chart in Persian-speaking patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 35 patients with AMD were assessed. The reading performance was investigated by the MNREAD chart without using low vision aids. The location of PRL was determined monocularly using an MP1 microperimeter (Nidek Technologies, Padua, Italy). The anatomical location of the fovea was determined using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Images were taken with the MP1 microperimeter, and Spectralis HRA-OCT device was processed using graphic software to determine the location of the PRL on the retina. Results: Thirty-five patients (51 eyes) with a mean age of 73.8 ± 7.7 years (range, 54-88 years) were assessed. Mean best corrected distance visual acuity (logMAR) was 0.65 ± 0.35 (range, 0.2-1.3). Mean levels of reading acuity (RA) (P = 0.009) and critical print size (CPS) (P = 0.015) were significantly different in different locations of PRL. Average scores of maximum reading speed (MRS) (P = 0.058) and reading accessibility index (ACC) (P = 0.058) were not statistically significant in different locations of PRL. There was a positive correlation between PRL-fovea distance and RA (P < 0.001, r = 0.591) and CPS (P < 0.001, r = 0.614). Significant negative correlations were observed between PRL-fovea distance and MRS (P < 0.001, r = −0.519) and ACC (P < 0.001, r = −0.545). Conclusions: This study provides evidence for differences in the reading performance of Persian-speaking patients with AMD in different PRL locations. The average scores of all reading indices obtained in the right-field PRL are lower than those in other areas and are highly correlated with the PRL-fovea distance.