Comments and Conclusions

  • The maia™ goes beyond traditional visual field testing by also obtaining an SLO image of the fundus and monitoring eye position 25 times per second.
  • Any visual field (within the central 20 degrees at present) can be created by clicking the desired locations to be tested on the SLO frozen image.
  • By monitoring eye position and then correcting for any fixation drift or saccadic eye movement, the maia™ actually does test the points that are desired to be tested (see Case #1).
  • Even individual drusen (as demonstrated in Case #2) can be tested for retinal sensitivity.
  • The maia™ is still a subjective test (as are all visual fields) and some variability will still remain.
  • Sensitivity as determined with maia™ may detect functional loss prior to structural impairment as revealed by OCT (see Case #3)
  • Identifying the preferred retinal locus (PRL) and fixation stability and location (as revealed by maia™) may be useful in prescribing prism for improved patient comfort and increased function.
  • Treatment of various disorders can be monitored for improvement, stability or progression with maia™.
  • Studies using maia™ may be useful in determining whether carotinoids and omega 3s improve function in
    patients with early AMD.
  • Similarly, select laser studies (presently under study outside the US) can utilize the maia™ to help determine whether drusen can be treated successfully.