Correlation Between Blue Fundus Autofluorescence and SD-OCT Measurements of Geographic Atrophy in Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To compare fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements of geographic atrophy (GA) area and to analyze lesion area changes measured by spectral domain OCT in GATHER1.

Design: An assessment reliability analysis using prospective, randomized, double-masked phase 2/3 clinical trial data.

Methods: GATHER1 examined the efficacy and safety of avacincaptad pegol (ACP) for GA treatment. A post hoc analysis was performed to identify correlations between FAF- and OCT-based measurements of GA. GA area was measured on blue-light FAF images using semiautomatic segmentation software with support from OCT and near-infrared imaging. Machine-learning enhanced, multilayer segmentation of OCT scans were reviewed by human readers, and segmentation errors were corrected as needed. GA area was defined as total RPE loss on cross-sectional B scans. Time points included Months 0, 6, 12, and 18. Additionally, OCT-based GA-area changes between ACP and sham were analyzed.

Results: There was a strong correlation (r = 0.93) between FAF and OCT GA area measurements that persisted through 18 months. Mean (SD) differences between OCT and FAF GA measurements were negligible: 0.11 mm (1.42) at Month 0, 0.03 mm (1.62) at Month 6, -0.17 mm (1.81) at Month 12, and -0.07 mm (1.78) at Month 18. OCT assessments of GA growth revealed a 30% and 27% reduction at Months 12 and 18, respectively, between ACP and sham, replicating FAF measurements from GATHER1.

Conclusions: The strong correlation between blue FAF and OCT measurements of GA area supports OCT as a reliable method to measure GA lesion area in clinical trials.