Prevalence and Determinants of Age Related Macular Degeneration in Dehradun, Uttarakhand (India)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the third leading cause of blindness in India after cataract and diabetic retinopathy. We present the magnitude and determinants of blinding AMD among patients presenting at Drishti Eye Institute, Dehradun with this condition.
METHODS:
This was a cohort of eye patients with AMD, seen from July 2010 to October 2013. After taking preliminary information, optometrist noted the best-corrected vision. Ophthalmologists examined eyes using a slit-lamp bio-microscope. AMD was confirmed by fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography. The age, sex, history of smoking, sun exposure, family history of AMD, diet, body mass index (BMI), history of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes were noted.
RESULTS:
Of the 14,698 patients attending the Retina Service at Drishti Eye Institute during the study period, 221 persons had AMD (dry or wet) in at least one eye, the overall proportion of AMD being 1.5%. We further analysed 103 patients with wet AMD who are more at risk of losing vision. It was found that old age (60-70 years), male sex, and history of hypertension & high BMI were significant risk factors of AMD. Of the 221 patients with AMD, nearly a third, that is 71 patients (32.13%) had visual acuity of better eye < 3/60, which was taken as criteria for blindness.
CONCLUSIONS:
AMD does not seem to be a problem of public health magnitude in the study area. Early stages of AMD were common among patients. Age, being male, history of hypertension and being overweight/obese were significant risk factors for AMD.