Over the past few months, we have reviewed published studies that explain why you should test regularly with ForeseeHome. We previously looked at the original ForeseeHome clinical trial (the HOME Study) and a study showing the performance of ForeseeHome in the real world. In this final installment, we review a second “real-world” study that demonstrates the long-term vision outcomes of patients who converted while on the ForeseeHome program.
The Analysis of the Long-term Visual Outcomes of ForeseeHome Remote Telemonitoring: The ALOFT Study was initiated by physicians at five large clinics who refer patients to the ForeseeHome AMD Monitoring Program. The purpose was to determine if eyes that converted to wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) while using ForeseeHome maintained their functional vision (vision that allows independence for activities of daily living) with treatment over time.
A total of 2,123 patients and 3,334 eyes were followed over a period of 10 years. The average weekly frequency of testing by patients was 5.2 times per week. 285 eyes converted while monitored and were treated.
Important results of the study:
- The eyes that converted to wet AMD lost less than one line of vision (only missed reading a few of the smallest letters they could typically see on the eye chart at their doctor's office) at the time of diagnosis. This confirmed the results and value of the original HOME Study that led to FDA clearance and Medicare coverage for ForeseeHome.
- At conversion, the proportion of eyes that maintained 20/40 or better vision was 84%. Multiple studies have shown that the vision at the time of conversion to wet AMD is the best predictor of long-term vision.
- 82% of the eyes studied over the 10-year period maintained functional vision of 20/40 or better (the typical threshold vision for unrestricted driving) at the last follow-up after treatment – an astonishing result! This supports the initial prediction of the authors, based on their clinical experience, that monitoring with ForeseeHome results in good long-term vision following treatment.
- Patients had a non-exudative alert (those who had a ForeseeHome alert but did not have a conversion to wet AMD) on average once every 4.6 years. A sub-analysis of the ALOFT Study was done to ascertain if these non-exudative alerts provided any clinically useful information. That analysis found that patients who had non-exudative alerts were nearly twice as likely to convert to wet AMD in the future compared to those who did not have such an alert. With this increased risk, adherence to regular ForeseeHome testing becomes even more important.
- The rate of weekly use of the device was excellent with an average of 5.2 times per week. We know that more frequent use of the device, up to once a day, produces the best results in detecting wet AMD while vision is good. This rate is a testament to
doctors who encouraged testing regularly, and to the patients who understood the importance of frequent testing.
From a patient perspective, what is the point of monitoring regularly with ForeseeHome? The point is that the ALOFT Study shows the vast majority of patients who use ForeseeHome regularly, and who convert to wet AMD, will have excellent and functional vision long-term following treatment.
