Prevalence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the AGES - Reykjavik Study

Abstract

Purpose: : To determine the prevalence and risk factors for age-related macular degeneration in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility - Reykjavik Study (AGES - Reykjavik).

Methods: : The random sample includes individuals born between 1907 and 1935 who were recruited to participate in the AGES study between 2002-2006. Of the 7995 persons invited, 5764 participated in the 1^st AGES-Reykjavik (72.1%) and of these 5272 participated in the 3^rd follow-up visit which included an eye examination. After a maximum dilatation of the pupil all had a digital fundus photography centered on the macula. The photographs were graded by masked graders at the Wisconsin Ocular Epidemiology Grading Center using a modification of the Wisconsin Age-related Maculopathy Grading System.

Results: : The participants were 67 years and older. There were 5138 right macular fundus photographs gradable for early age-related maculopathy (ARM). The prevalence of early ARM was 18.3% (95% CI 17.3-18.9). Among the participants 4.4% (95% CI 3.9-4.7) had late age-related macular degeneration (AMD). For pure geographic atrophy (GA) there were 5036 gradable photographs of the right macula and the prevalence was 2.1% (95% CI 1.7-2.3). Those with GA and also exudative AMD (mixed type) are not included in this category. For exudative late AMD there were 5152 gradable photographs of the right macula and the prevalence was 2.3% (95% CI 1.9-2.5). The Geographic atrophy when present was located in the centre circle (foveal area) in the vast majority of cases.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • macula/fovea