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AMD severity in first eye foretells incidence, progression in fellow eye
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Severity of age-related macular degeneration in one eye was associated with an increased incidence of disease and progression in the fellow eye, according to study results.
Researchers analyzed data from 4,379 patients included in the Beaver Dam Study. Each patient underwent retinal photography at baseline and at up to four subsequent follow-up visits. They were also genotyped.
After adjusting for age, sex and the Y402H polymorphism in the complement factor H gene on chromosome 1q, the researchers utilized the Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System on the retinal photographs to assess the incidence, progression and regression of AMD, and assessed mortality, as well.
Results showed more severe AMD in one eye correlated with a higher incidence of AMD and rapid progression in the fellow eye. Similarly, less severe AMD in one eye correlated with less progression in the fellow eye, according to the researchers.
The researchers estimated that 51% of the participants who developed any AMD would always maintain AMD severity states within one step of the other between eyes, and that 90% of the participants would stay within two steps.
Relationships between severity of AMD in the fellow and age, gender or complement factor H Y402H genotype were insignificant, according to the researchers.
Disclosure: See the study for a full list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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