The epidemiology of age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To review the epidemiology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Evidence from epidemiologic data regarding the natural history of AMD and its risk factors are presented. RESULTS: Large, soft drusen associated with pigmentary abnormalities increase the risk of progression to ad...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American Journal of Ophthalmology
Main Authors: Klein, Ronald, Peto, Tunde, Bird, Alan, Vannewkirk, Mylan R
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2004
Subjects:
Disease Progression
Global Health
Humans
Incidence
Macular Degeneration
Prevalence
Risk Factors
United States
Journal Article
Research Support
U.S. Gov't
P.H.S
Review
Iceland
Online Access:https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/3222ca65-7366-4d7a-8519-fec240796b5e
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2003.11.069
Description
Summary:PURPOSE: To review the epidemiology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Evidence from epidemiologic data regarding the natural history of AMD and its risk factors are presented. RESULTS: Large, soft drusen associated with pigmentary abnormalities increase the risk of progression to advanced AMD. Large soft drusen may fade over time. Advanced AMD is more likely to be present in whites than blacks, despite the similar prevalence of soft drusen in both groups. Neovascular AMD is more frequent than geographic atrophy in most population-based studies in whites in America, Australia, and the Netherlands than in similar population-based studies in Iceland and Norway. After age and family history, there are few consistent relationships of risk factors to AMD. Of these, the relationship of smoking, hypertension, and cataract surgery to advanced AMD have been most consistent. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term epidemiologic studies have provided information on the distribution and the natural history of AMD and its associated risk factors. It is not known what effect reduction of blood pressure and the cessation of smoking might have on the incidence and progression of AMD.

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