PURPOSE:To approach the changes of visual function by using the dense matrix mapping in macula(DMMM)in patients with age-related macular degenerationl(AMD). METHODS:The DMMM was designed using Humphrey-640,thee study included 51 patients(71 eyes)in dry type,AMD,23 patients(27 eyes)in wet type and 16 normal elderly(21 eyes). RESULTS:In 2.5 degree of macula:the mean light sensitivity(MLS)was 35.61plusmn;1.37 in normal elderly.33.30plusmn;2. 49 in dry type group and 20.67plusmn;8.30 in wet type group,and differences were highly significant statistically among them. In S degree the MLS is 34.93plusmn;1.46 in normal elderly.32.95plusmn;1.82 in dry type group, 22.11plusmn;7.74 in wet type group ,and the differences were highly significant statistically among them. CONCLUSIONS:The MLS of DMMM declined at early stage of dry type AMD and there was relatively high sensitivity of MLS of DMMM in evaluating the visual function in early AMD. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 217-219 ）