Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:To examine the relationship between hair and eye color and the long tem incidence of age-related maculopathy (ARM) in the Beaver Dam Eye Study, a population-based study of 4,926 persons who were evaluated in 1988-1990, with follow-up examinations in 1993-1995 (n=3,684) and in 1998-2000 (n=2,764). Methods:Data on hair color at age fifteen was obtained from a standardized questionnaire administered at the baseline examination. Eye color was determined during the baseline examination using photographic standards. Age-related maculopathy status was determined by grading stereoscopic color fundus photos using the Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System. Results:While controlling for age, people with brown eyes were more likely to develop early ARM (Risk ratio (RR): 1.26; 95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.98,1.60; p-value=0.07) and soft indistinct drusen (RR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.20,1.99; p-value<0.01), and have progression of ARM (RR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.99,1.74; p-value=0.06), than people with blue eyes. However, people with brown eyes were less likely to develop increased retinal pigment (RR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.57,1.02; p-value=0.06) and RPE depigmentation (RR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.41,0.81; p-value=0.04) than people with blue eyes. Having dark hair was also associated with a decreased risk of developing pigmentary abnormalities (brown hair versus blond hair RR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.53,1.00, p-value=0.05; black hair versus blond hair RR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.31,1.05; p-value=0.07) when compared to people with blond hair. Neither eye color nor hair color were associated with the development of late ARM. Conclusion:Both eye color and hair color were found to be associated with the 10-year incidence of pigmentary abnormalities. Eye color appears to be inconsistently related to the 10-year incidence and progression of ARM.
Keywords: 353 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • 354 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • 355 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment