Introduction:
Lipid metabolism and its role as a risk factor in Age RelatedMacular Degeneration have been discussed in the literature.Recently, cholesterol lowering medications have been found tohave a possible protective effect in developing Age RelatedMacular Degeneration (AMD). However, there is no data on earlyAMD as manifested by drusen, good visual acuity, and its relationshipto serum lipids.
Purpose:
To evaluate the possible associationof elevated serum lipids in asymptomatic patients with drusenand good visual acuity.
Methods:
We examined 32 patients ina retina practice with good visual acuity (20/20–20/70),with drusen as determined by slit lamp biomicroscopy, dilatedfundus exam, digital fundus photography (OIS, Winstation–XP3200, v.10.2.44), standard grid for ARM classification. Agerange of 50–90 years and serum lipids (mg/dl): total cholesterol(CH), High density lipoprotein (HDL), Low density lipoprotein(LDL), Triglycerides (TG). Exclusion criteria: diabetes, historyof macular disease.
Results:
32 patients: 17 F: 8M. 57 eyes,age range 50–86 yrs, avg= 69.2+ 11.17. CH =avg 199.4+37.37;HDL= 59.05 + 20.12; LDL= 111.9 + 31.73; TG =142.8 +67.55.
Conclusions:
Among patients with good visual acuity and drusen,lower cholesterol occurs in those patients with 20/50–20/70versus 20/20–20/40 vision. Our findings support the datafrom earlier studies where lower serum cholesterol is associatedwith early AMD. While Cholesterol may be a risk factor, therole of the other serum lipids is less clear in drusen formation.However, more work needs to be done on other serum markers inearly AMD.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • drusen • lipids