Prevalence of Myopic Macular Degeneration in a Japanese Population : The Hisayama Study

Abstract

Purpose: : We examined the prevalence of myopic macular degeneration in a Japanese population.

Methods: : In 2005, a cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted among residents of Hisayama, Japan. A total of 1,913 residents aged 40 years or older consented to participate in this ophthalmic study. Each participant underwent ophthalmic examinations, including measurements of refractive error and axial lengths, and color fundus photography. Of those, 1,890 subjects who have obtained adequate data were enrolled in the present study. Pathologic myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent < -8.0 diopters or an axial length ≥ 26.5mm. Myopic retinopathy was determined based on the grading of color fundus photographs. Myopic retinopathy was defined as the presence of tessellated fundus, diffuse chorioretinal atrophy, patchy chorioretinal atrophy, lacquer cracks, or myopic macular degeneration (choroidal neovascularization:CNV or macular atrophy).

Results: : Of the subjects, 107 (5.7%) had pathologic myopia and 97 (5.1%) with pathologic myopia had myopic retinopathy. The prevalence of myopic macular degeneration (CNV or macular atrophy) was 0.3%.

Conclusions: : The prevalence of myopic macular degeneration was 0.3% and that of myopic retinopathy was 5.1% in a Japanese population.

Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • myopia • macula/fovea