Purpose To decribe the prevalence of age related macular degeneration (AMD) in the population aged 50 and over in Doumen County of Gunagdong Province. Methods After randomized clustering sampling,all selected individuals were enumerated according to village residence register.Visual acuity were measured by illuminated EDTRS chart. The examination of eyelid,cornea,lens and fundus were also carried out.The diagnosis of AMD was made according to the criteria of National Academic Group of Fundus Diseases combining with the visual criteria of Framingham Eye Study. Results 5 324 indivduals were axamined with participating rate of 92.8%.The ove rall prevalence of AMD was 8.4%.The prevalence of 2.9%,7.8% and 12.9% was found in the age groups of 50-,60-,70- respectively.The prevalence of male and female was 8.5% and 8.4% respctively.5% of AMD eyes were blind and 49% were low vision. Conclusion The prevalence of AMD is hight and increased with aging,but not correlated with sex.AMD can cause severe visual impairment. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:122-124)
ObjectiveTo study the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the population aged 50 and over in Qidong County of Jangsu Province. Methods3644 individuals from 4 villages were randomly selected by clustering sampling method, according to the household registration information and door to door visits. Visual acuity was measured by modified Bailey-Lovie E logMAR chart. The examination of eyelids, cornea, lens and fundus were also carried out. The diagnosis of AMD was made according to the clinical hierarchy system by Age-Related Eye Diseases Study. χ2 test was used to analyze the prevalence of AMD and its related factors. ResultsAmong 3644 selected individuals, 2985 individuals received examination with a participating rate of 81.92%. In total 97 patients (136 eyes) had AMD with a prevalence rate of 3.25%. Among them, 71 patients (105 eyes) had early stage of AMD (2.38%); 26 patients (31 eyes) had late stage of AMD (0.87%). In these late stage patients, there were 9 patients (13 eyes) of exudative lesions (0.30%). There were 32 male (3.11%) and 65 female (3.32%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference between male and female prevalence (χ2=0.29, P > 0.05). Correlation analysis results showed that the long-term smoking (χ2=15.19) and heart cerebrovascular disease (χ2=81.50) was associated with AMD (P < 0.05). ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of AMD is 3.25% in the residents aged 50 and above in the rural area of Qidong County, Jangsu Province. Long-term smoking, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease are the risk factors of AMD.