Abstract
Purpose::
To describe the design of a French epidemiological study on the associations of antioxidants, lipids and other nutritional factors with the risk of age-related eye diseases (age-related maculopathy (ARM), glaucoma, cataract, dry eye syndrome)
Methods::
Subjects will be recruited from an existing population-based cohort study on the vascular risk factors of dementia. Subjects were initially aged 65 years or more, recruited in the city of Bordeaux, France in year 1999-2001 and followed up every 2 years since. Data were collected at baseline and at each follow-up included: cognitive function, vascular risk factors, blood and DNA samples. Nutritional data include measurements of plasma antioxidants and fatty acids at baseline; 24h recall and food frequency questionnaire at first follow-up; short food frequency questionnaire at second and third follow-ups. The ALIENOR study consists in an eye examination, simultaneous to the third follow-up examination in 2006-7 . It includes ophthalmologic history, near and far visual acuity (ETDRS) with current and optimal correction, non mydriatic retinal photographs of the macula and optic disc, intraocular pressure, corneal thickness and break-up time. Retinal photographs will be interpreted according to a modification of the International Classification of ARM. Glaucoma will be classified according to the criteria of ISGEO and subjects suspect of glaucoma will have complementary examination including visual field. Dry eye syndrome will be classified according to the Ocular Surface Disease Index and the break-up time.
Results::
The expected number of participants is 1000. Using multivariate mixed models, we will estimate the associations of:- ARM and glaucoma with vascular risk factors and lipid metabolism (plasma lipids and fatty acids, in particular omega 3 and 6, apolipoprotein E polymorphism, dietary intake of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated omega 3 and 6 fatty acids).- ARM and cataract extraction with antioxidant status (plasma vitamin A and E and TBARS, dietary intake of vitamin C, E and carotenoids)- Dry eye and potential risk factors (smoking, sunlight exposure, television and computer exposure, medical history and current treatments…) and lipid metabolism (plasma and dietary lipids).
Conclusions::
This study will be one of the major epidemiological study combining data on nutrition (past and present), age-related eye diseases and cognitive and vascular diseases.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • age-related macular degeneration • aging