Age-related macular degeneration in an Iranian Urban population

Authors

Hassan Hashemi1,2, Elina Ghafari1, Mehdi Khabazkhoob1, Jila Noori2, Arash Taheri2, Arash Eshghabadi1, Alireza Khodabandeh1, Mohammad Hassan Emamian3, Mohammad Shariati4,  Akbar Fotouhi5
1. Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
2. Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3. Center for Health Related Social and Behavioral Sciences Research, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
4. Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Journal of Current Ophthalmology2015

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and determinants of age-related macular degeneration
(AMD) in a 40-64 year old Iranian population
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 6,311 people were randomly selected from Shahroud. For all participants, visual acuity, refraction, slit-lamp examination and fundus photography were conducted under pupil dilation.
Results: Results of this study are based on analysis of 4,387 high quality photographs. The prevalence of AMD in this study was 4.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.1-5.4). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that only older age [odds ratio (OR)=1.07] and hyperopia (OR=1.12)
significantly correlated with AMD. Associations with biometric components and spherical equivalent were studied in another model and older age (OR=1.08), male sex (OR=1.54), and ocular axial length (OR=0.66) significantly correlated with AMD.
Conclusion: AMD prevalence in this population was lower compared to Western countries and higher in comparison to East Asian countries. In agreement with other studies, age strongly correlated with AMD. Regarding the correlation between AMD and ocular axial length; the incidence is more likely to occur in people with short axial lengths.
Keywords: Age-related Macular Degeneration, Cross-Sectional Study, Middle East Region, Prevalence