Ronald Klein1, Tunde Peto, Alan Bird, Mylan R Vannewkirk. 1. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, USA. kleinr@epi.ophth.wisc.edu
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Juan A Ayala-Haedo; Paul J Gallins; Patrice L Whitehead; Stephen G Schwartz; Jaclyn L Kovach; Eric A Postel; Anita Agarwal; Gaofeng Wang; Jonathan L Haines; Margaret A Pericak-Vance; William K Scott Journal: Ann Hum Genet Date: 2010-03-31 Impact factor: 1.670
Authors: Yijun Hu; Haijiang Lin; Bernard Dib; Alp Atik; Peggy Bouzika; Christopher Lin; Yueran Yan; Shibo Tang; Joan W Miller; Demetrios G Vavvas Journal: Discov Med Date: 2014 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 2.970
Authors: P T Johnson; K E Betts; M J Radeke; G S Hageman; D H Anderson; L V Johnson Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2006-11-01 Impact factor: 11.205