PubMed ID: 21126770
Author(s): Jonasson F, Arnarsson A, Eiríksdottir G, Harris TB, Launer LJ, Meuer SM, Klein BE, Klein R, Gudnason V, Cotch MF. Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in old persons: Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility Reykjavik Study. Ophthalmology. 2011 May;118(5):825-30. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2010.08.044. Epub 2010 Dec 3. PMID 21126770
Journal: Ophthalmology, Volume 118, Issue 5, May 2011
PURPOSE To describe the prevalence and signs of early and late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in an old cohort.
DESIGN Population-based cohort study.
PARTICIPANTS We included 5272 persons aged ≥66 years, randomly sampled from the Reykjavik area.
METHODS Fundus images were taken through dilated pupils using a 45-degree digital camera and graded for drusen size, type, area, increased retinal pigment, retinal pigment epithelial depigmentation, neovascular lesions, and geographic atrophy (GA) using the modified Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Age-related macular degeneration in an elderly cohort.
RESULTS The mean age of participants was 76 years. The prevalence of early AMD was 12.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.0-13.9) for those aged 66 to 74 years and 36% (95% CI, 30.9-41.1) for those aged ≥85 years. The prevalence of exudative AMD was 3.3% (95% CI, 2.8-3.8). The prevalence of pure GA was 2.4% (95% CI, 2.0-2.8). The highest prevalence of late AMD was among those aged ≥85 years: 11.4% (95% CI, 8.2-14.5) for exudative AMD and 7.6% (95% CI, 4.8-10.4) for pure GA.
CONCLUSIONS Persons aged ≥85 years have a 10-fold higher prevalence of late AMD than those aged 70 to 74 years. The high prevalence of late AMD in the oldest age group and expected increase of elderly people in the western world in coming years call for improved preventive measures and novel treatments.
Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.