Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: There is evidence that AMD is a vascular disorder, sharing epidemiologic risk factors and pathogenetic mechanisms with angiosclerosis. This raises the question of the possible protective effect of statin use on the development of AMD. Reports of the effectiveness of statins are, thus far, conflicting. Methods: 94 patients with AMD were recruited from the Retina Clinics of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (30 non–neovascular and 64 neovascular) along with 54 self–referred age–matched control subjects. All subjects were interviewed, their eyes examined and fundi photographed. Results: 24% of control subjects had a history of coronary artery disease compared to 36% of AMD patients (27% non–neovascular and 41% neovascular). 59% of control subjects had a history of systemic hypertension compared to 78% of AMD patients (70% non–neovascular and 81% neovascular). 45% of the control subjects used statins, compared to 25% of AMD patients (17% non–neovascular and 30% neovascular). Conclusions: Statin use is inversely related to the development of neovascular and non–neovascular AMD. An adequately powered, prospective clinical trial of statins in AMD is warranted.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • aging