Abstract
Purpose :
Variation in the incidence and characteristics of AMD among different ethnic groups have been reported. Most studies have been undertaken in Western populations. We performed a retrospective, observational clinical study to learn about the characteristics of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) in the population of Queens County.
Methods :
Fundus images, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography were performed and graded for early and late ARMD using the modified Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy grading system. Demographic and clinical characteristics were included in multivariable regression analysis.
Results :
Two-hundred and twenty eight patients were included. The population comprised of fifteen Caucasians (6.57%), 129 Hispanics (56.57%), 35 Blacks (15.35%), 31 Guyanese (13.59%), 18 other ethnicities (7.89%) . The mean patient age was 67.57 (SD=12.41). One hundred and fifty two (66%) females and 76 males (33%). The overall prevalence of ARMD was 0.76% across all ethnic groups. The Caucasian and Guyanese populations had a higher incidence of late ARMD compared to other groups (p=0.011). Caucasians and Hispanics had a greater proportion of subjects diagnosed >65 years old (p=0.009). Black subjects were younger on average (p=0.007).
Conclusions :
This is the first report in the literature of ARMD among Guyanese subjects. Moreover, the Guyanese population seems to have a more advanced form of ARMD. The lower prevalence of ARMD in our cohort compared to the nationally reported prevalence in the United States is likely related to the multi-ethnic composition of our cohort.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.