Area deprivation and age related macular degeneration in the EPIC-Norfolk Eye Study

Association between age-related macular degeneration and risk of incident cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cancer may share similar risk factors, indicating possible common pathogenic pathways. We aimed to describe the site-specific cancer risk based on the relationship of AMD with visual disability (VD) status.

METHODS

This was a population-based cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database (2009-2019) including patients who participated in a national health screening programme in 2009. The subjects were categorised based on the presence of AMD and VD. The occurrence of cancer was identified using principal diagnosis according to the International Classification of Disease, 10th revision codes in claims data. The Cox regression hazard model was used to compare HRs of site-specific cancer.

RESULTS

Among 4 088 814 participants, 51 596 had AMD of which 3683 subjects had VD. The mean follow-up period was 9.6 years. The overall cancer risk was generally null, but the risk of hypervascular cancer such as thyroid cancer (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.10, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.20) and renal cancer (aHR 1.16, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.33) was higher and the risk of stomach cancer (aHR 0.89, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.94) was lower in the AMD group than in the non-AMD group.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated a possible association between AMD and several cancers. Increased renal and thyroid cancer risk among patients with AMD could indicate that AMD is associated with hypervascular cancer. Further studies in which additional databases are used and the underlying detailed mechanisms evaluated are needed to validate our results.

Do Socioeconomic Inequalities Exist Within Ophthalmology and Orthoptics in the UK?: A Scoping Review

Introduction

It is well documented that socioeconomic disadvantage adversely affects general health and ocular health worldwide. Within orthoptics, while clinicians recognise a relationship between socioeconomic situation and treatment outcome, no previous literature review was found to address this issue. Neither was a UK-specific literature review found to address the same issue for ophthalmology as a whole.

Aim

This literature review evaluates evidence for an association between socioeconomic situation and ophthalmic/orthoptic conditions and their treatment outcomes, specifically within the UK.

Methods

Keyword searches were conducted on Google Scholar and the University of Liverpool library catalogue. Results for the main analyses were limited to full papers, specific to the UK, written in English. Literature was only included from pre-2000 if more recent evidence was insufficient.

Results

There is evidence of socioeconomic disadvantage being associated with the following: reduced visual acuity; reduced attendance at diabetic retinopathy screening appointments; and delayed presentation of glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. However, evidence linking socioeconomic disadvantage to AMD is mixed. There is limited evidence of the increased prevalence of amblyopia and subsequent barriers to its treatment for socioeconomically underserved children. There is also evidence of a reduction in quality of life for socioeconomically underserved adults with strabismus.

Conclusions

Health inequalities within ophthalmology and orthoptics are reported, but with confounding results for some conditions. Further research should explore the reasons behind the inequalities that are found and identify methods of reducing them.

Association of lipid-lowering drugs and antidiabetic drugs with age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis in Europeans

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To investigate the association of commonly used systemic medications with prevalent age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the general population.

METHODS

We included 38 694 adults from 14 population-based and hospital-based studies from the European Eye Epidemiology consortium. We examined associations between the use of systemic medications and any prevalent AMD as well as any late AMD using multivariable logistic regression modelling per study and pooled results using random effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Between studies, mean age ranged from 61.5±7.1 to 82.6±3.8 years and prevalence ranged from 12.1% to 64.5% and from 0.5% to 35.5% for any and late AMD, respectively. In the meta-analysis of fully adjusted multivariable models, lipid-lowering drugs (LLD) and antidiabetic drugs were associated with lower prevalent any AMD (OR 0.85, 95% CI=0.79 to 0.91 and OR 0.78, 95% CI=0.66 to 0.91). We found no association with late AMD or with any other medication.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicates a potential beneficial effect of LLD and antidiabetic drug use on prevalence of AMD across multiple European cohorts. Our findings support the importance of metabolic processes in the multifactorial aetiology of AMD.

Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and associated factors in Indian cohort in a tertiary care setting

Purpose

To report a big data analysis of risk and protective factors in patients with AMD, as well as report on the age-adjusted prevalence in a geriatric Indian cohort in a hospital setting.

Methods

This retrospective, observational study of all patients older than 60 years of age. Multiple logistic regression was performed for the binary outcome and the presence of AMD. Variables analyzed include age, gender, socioeconomic status, occupation, urban-rural-metropolitan distribution, self-reported history of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), or coronary artery disease (CAD), ocular comorbidities, history of cataract surgery, and presenting VA. Odds ratios (OR) and 99% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results

Of the 608,171 patients over the age of 60 years who attended our clinics, 1.68% of subjects had a diagnosis of AMD (N = 10,217). Less than half (4,621 of 10,217 with AMD) of them were diagnosed to have dry AMD. Cataract, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy were associated with lower risk of AMD. Cataract surgery was associated with the higher risk of AMD (OR = 1.20; 99% CI 1.13-1.29). Smoking was not associated with AMD.

Conclusion

Big data analysis from a hospital setting shows that the prevalence of AMD above the age of 60 years is low. More patients with wet AMD present for treatment compared to dry AMD. Smoking was not associated with AMD in the Indian population. Cataract surgery was associated with higher prevalence of AMD.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration in an Ageing Society - Current Epidemiological Research

Epidemiological studies on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) provide crucial data on the frequency of early and late forms as well as associated risk factors. The increasing number of population-based cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort studies in Germany and Europe with published data is making prevalence and incidence estimators for AMD more robust, although they show mostly method-related fluctuations. This review article brings together the latest published epidemiological measures for AMD from Germany and Central as well as Western Europe. Based on this data and population figures for Germany and Europe, prevalence is projected, and future trends are forecasted. The epidemiological evidence for AMD-associated risk factors is also improving, especially through meta-analyses within large consortia with correspondingly high case numbers. This review article summarizes the latest findings and resulting recommendations for prevention approaches. Additionally, it discusses treatment options and future challenges.

Socio-economic differences in accessing NHS spectacles amongst children with differing refractive errors living in Scotland

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Adults living in more deprived areas are less likely to attend an eye examination, resulting in greater visual impairment from undiagnosed eye disease and a widening of health inequalities. It is unknown if the introduction of free NHS eye examinations and help with spectacle costs has benefited children in Scotland. This study aimed to explore factors associated with accessing NHS spectacles including level of deprivation, refractive error, urbanity and age.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

NHS-financed General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) 3 supplement the cost of spectacles for children under 16 years. Administrative data on the spectacle refraction dispensed were obtained from Information Services Division (ISD) for mainland Scotland, 2018, and categorised by: Emmetropes/low hyperopes (reference group), myopes and moderate/high hyperopes. Data were linked to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile.

RESULTS

Data included 108, 043 GOS 3 claims. Greater deprivation was associated with greater GOS 3 claims p = 0.041. This was most evident in emmetropic/low hyperopic children and in moderate/high hyperopic children. GOS 3 claims in the myopes group increased with age across all SIMD and decreased with age in the moderate/high hyperope group (all p < 0.001). GOS 3 claims were not associated with urbanity for all Health Boards (p = 0.13).

CONCLUSIONS

Children in areas of greater deprivation and in more rural areas are not disadvantaged in accessing NHS spectacles. This did not vary by refractive error group. This suggests that health policy in Scotland is accessible to those from all deprivation levels and refractive errors.

Socioeconomic risk factors and age-related macular degeneration in the UK Biobank study

Objective

There is contrasting evidence on the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of visual impairment (VI) in developed countries. This study examines the relationship between SES, cardiovascular risk factors and self-reported AMD.

Methods and analysis

Over 500000 people participated in the UK Biobank study from 2006 to 2019, with sociodemographic data and clinical measurements collected using standardised procedures. Visual acuity was measured in 117907 participants with VI defined as LogMAR ≤0.3. We used logistic regression to examine the cross-sectional associations between SES and self-reported AMD.

Results

Self-reported AMD was available for 133339 participants aged 50 and older. People reporting AMD had higher academic qualifications, lower income, were unable to work due to disability, have higher BMI, diabetes and vascular heart disease after adjusting for age and sex. In a multivariable analysis, higher income was protective of AMD and economic inactivity due to disability increased the odds of AMD (2.02, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.61). Both associations were independent of cardiovascular factors, but was no longer significant after adjusting for VI.

Conclusions

The association between education, employment and household income with AMD was independent of cardiovascular risk factors.

Prevalence and incidence of age-related macular degeneration in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of visual impairment and blindness in Europe. A further increase in the number of affected persons is expected and current European data are needed for healthcare resource planning.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review on the prevalence and incidence of AMD based on the meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology guideline. Meta-analysis and meta-regression on time-trends, age, countries, regions, sex and classification systems for AMD were performed. Based on Eurostat population projections, the pooled prevalence estimates were extrapolated to the year 2050.

RESULTS

Twenty-two prevalence and four incidence studies published since 1996 were included. Our pooled prevalence estimate of early or intermediate AMD and any late AMD in those 60 years and older was 25.3% (95% CI 18.0% to 34.4%) and 2.4% (95% CI 1.8% to 3.3%), respectively. A significant increase in prevalence was seen in older populations. In the meta-analysis of incidence, the pooled annual incidence of any late AMD was 1.4 per 1 000 individuals (95% CI 0.8 to 2.6). Overall, the number of EU inhabitants with any AMD is expected to increase from 67 to 77 million until 2050. Incident late AMD is estimated to increase from 400 000 per year today to 700 000 per year in 2050.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 67 million people in the EU are currently affected by any AMD and, due to population ageing, this number is expected to increase by 15% until 2050. Monitoring and treatment of people with advanced disease stages will require additional healthcare resources and thorough healthcare planning in the years and decades to come.

Prevalence of Retinal Diseases and Associated Risk Factors in an African Population From Mwanza, Tanzania

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of retinal disease among a population in Mwanza, Tanzania, and to identify relevant risk factors for retinal disorders in this cohort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in Mwanza, Tanzania, among patients older than 18 years. Participants completed a demographics survey and underwent an ophthalmic examination that included fundus photography.

RESULTS

Complete data were available for 1,007 (93.8%) of the 1,073 persons examined. The prevalence of vitreoretinal disorders was 22.8% (230/1,007). The leading retinal diseases were age-related macular degeneration (7.0%), hypertensive retinopathy (4.5%), and macular scars (2.7%).

CONCLUSION

This study is the first population-based study of retinal disease in Mwanza. The findings reveal a considerable burden of retinal disease in this region, suggesting a need for trained local ophthalmic personnel and resources. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:S17-S25.].

A Population-based Study on the Prevalence and Associated Factors of Age-related Macular Degeneration in Northern Iran the Gilan Eye Study

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence and associated factors of AMD in an Iranian population in 2014.Methods: In this population-based cross-sectional study, a total of 2975 Iranian residents (age: ≥50 years) from the urban and rural areas of Gilan province were included. The prevalence of different grades of AMD was determined using the International Age-Related Maculopathy Epidemiological Study Group grading system.Results: Of 2975 eligible individuals, 2587 (87.0%) subjects participated and 2275 (76.5%) subjects (62.6 ± 8.8 years old) had gradable fundus photographs. Age- and sex-standardized prevalence of early and late AMD based on the 2016 Iran census were 13.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.6-16.2) and 0.7% (95% CI, 0.4-1.3), respectively. In multivariate analysis, each decade increase in age was associated with the adjusted odds of any (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.31, 95% CI, 1.09-1.56; P = .0031), early (AOR = 1.27, 95% CI, 1.06-1.53; P = .012) and late AMD (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI, 1.08-5.28; P = .031). Hyperopia was identified to be less frequent in late AMD (AOR = 0.20, 95% CI, 0.04-0.80; P = .024). No significant association was found between AMD and sex, smoking, outdoor working, diabetes, hypertension, pseudophakia, hyperlipidemia and myopia.Conclusion: Gilan Eye Study demonstrated the first estimate of age-specific AMD prevalence in Iran being compatible with other WHO regions. With the expected increase in the life expectancy and aging of Iranians, the number of people affected by AMD will be increasing in future. Healthcare policy makers should be advised to provide more efficient eye care services and preventive strategies in this regard.

Socio-economic status and outcomes for patients with age-related macular degeneration

OBJECTIVES

To explore disparities in severity of baseline disease, treatment completion, and treatment outcomes among patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy by socio-economic status (SES) and distance from home to hospital.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Data from clinic records of 756 wet AMD patients receiving treatment for wet AMD with aflibercept between May 2013 and Jan 2017 were obtained. Area SES (using Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2015) and distance from hospital (dichotomized > = 10 vs. <10 km) were derived from anonymized postcodes. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify associations of area deprivation and distance from hospital at baseline-with visual acuity (VA) at baseline-treatment completion, and treatment outcome.

RESULTS

Living in the most deprived compared with less deprived areas was associated with a significantly higher risk of presenting with severe reduction in VA (OR = 3.59; 95% CI = 1.39-9.27; P = .01). This association was maintained after adjustment for age, gender, and distance from hospital. On univariate analysis, delayed treatment completion was more likely in those living in most deprived areas (OR = 2.80; 95% CI = 1.21-6.47; P = .04), though this association was attenuated after adjustment for age, gender, and distance from hospital. No association was observed between SES and treatment outcomes or between distance from hospital and baseline VA, treatment completion or treatment outcome.

CONCLUSION

This study found poorer baseline VA among people with wet AMD from more deprived areas. This work suggests a need for earlier identification of AMD among more deprived populations.

Impact of car transport availability and drive time on eye examination uptake among adults aged ≥60 years: a record linkage study

AIM

To examine associations between uptake of free primary eye care, service availability (density of optometric practices) and service accessibility (household car access and drive time to nearest provider) after accounting for socioeconomic status and other individual, household and area factors.

METHODS

We constructed a cohort of 294 870 community-dwelling adults aged 60 years, drawing contextual information from the 2011 Northern Ireland Census. Minimum drive times to the nearest optometry practice (1-19 min) and number of practices were derived for 890 geographical areas. The primary outcome was attendance at one or more publicly funded eye examinations to which all cohort members were entitled between 2009 and 2014. We used multiple log-binomial regression to estimate associations between eye care uptake, car ownership and drive time.

RESULTS

Eye examination uptake was 60.0%. 23.7% of the cohort had no car access, and these individuals had lower uptake than car owners (unadjusted risk ratio (RR) of uptake=0.86 (0.86, 0.87)). Among non-car owners, uptake decreased with drive time (longest vs shortest: RR=0.92 (0.88, 0.97)) with the largest decrease at 4 min drive time (approximately 1.5 miles). This pattern was weaker among car owners. These associations were independent of service availability, which was not associated with uptake.

CONCLUSION

Both drive time and household car access were associated with eye care use, adjusting for individual, household and area factors. Policies to improve uptake should target those with no car access, especially those beyond walking distance from the nearest eye care provider.

Influence of Socioeconomic Deprivation on Visual Acuity in Patients Undergoing Corneal Transplantation

PURPOSE

To determine whether there is an association between socioeconomic status and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in patients undergoing corneal transplantation in the United Kingdom.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of 4306 patients registered on the national United Kingdom Transplant Registry and undergoing penetrating keratoplasty, anterior lamellar keratoplasty, or endothelial keratoplasty in 2002, 2008, and 2013. Socioeconomic status was determined by applying a validated deprivation index to generate a score based on 5 categories. Patients' demographic details, preoperative BCVA, copathology, surgical center volume, and socioeconomic status were analyzed for univariate effects of categorical and continuous variables. Binary logistic regression was used to determine whether preoperative BCVA was affected by socioeconomic status after adjusting for other factors.

RESULTS

A larger percentage of the most deprived group was female in each period compared with the least deprived, but this was only significant in 2002 (48.7% vs. 40.3%; P = 0.04). There was no interaction between socioeconomic status and the preoperative BCVA in the grafted eye. However, BCVA in the fellow eye was poorer for the most economically deprived patients compared with the least deprived in 2013 (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence of a relationship between socioeconomic deprivation and BCVA in the transplant recipient eye. However, there was clear evidence of an association between socioeconomic deprivation and reduced acuity in fellow eyes, for which barriers to access or low patient demand may be possible contributors.

Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in an elderly UK Caucasian population-The Bridlington Eye Assessment Project: a cross-sectional study

ImportanceThere is paucity of data on prevalence and disease asymmetry of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), particularly the earlier stages, in the UK population.Objective and PurposeTo determine the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in an elderly Caucasian UK population.DesignCross-sectional population study, 2002-2006.ParticipantsResidents in the study area of Bridlington aged 65 years and older.MethodsFull-ophthalmic examination was undertaken in 3549 participants, of eligible 6319 Caucasian population (response rate of 56%). Non-stereoscopic Colour fundus photographs (30°) were graded masked using a modified Rotterdam Classification for 3475 (98%) participants with gradable images. Prevalence for different AMD grades were calculated. Demographic details were analysed then integrated with the AMD gradings for full analysis. Prevalence rates for the different AMD Grades were calculated, as well as the age-specific prevalences.ResultsAMD prevalence in the worst eye were 38.5% grade 0, 41.4% grade 1, 12.8% grade 2, 2.8% grade 3, and 4.6% grade 4. Geographic atrophy (grade 4a) occurred in 2.5%, and neovascular AMD (grade 4b) in 1.8%. Prevalence increased with age such that grade 4 (advanced) AMD was 2.2% in the 65-69 years group, 15.8% for the 85-90, and 21.2% for over 90 years. There was significant asymmetry between the two eyes of individuals with advanced AMD (P<0.001), such that vision loss was unilateral. Persons with more advanced AMD grades were more likely to be dissatisfied with their vision.ConclusionsAdvanced AMD occurs more commonly in the UK Caucasian population than previously reported. Significant asymmetry between the two eyes occurs in individuals with unilateral advanced AMD so that visual impairment statistics do not represent true prevalence of advanced AMD. Persons with more advanced AMD were more likely to be dissatisfied with their vision.

Health Inequalities Associated with Post-Stroke Visual Impairment in the United Kingdom and Ireland: A Systematic Review

The aim of this study was to report on the health inequalities facing stroke survivors with visual impairments as described in the current literature. A systemic review of the literature was conducted to investigate the potential health inequalities facing stroke survivors with subsequent visual impairments. A quality-of-evidence and risk-of-bias assessment was conducted for each of the included articles using the appropriate tool dependent on the type of article. Only four articles discussed health inequalities affecting stroke survivors with visual impairment specifically. A further 23 articles identified health inequalities after stroke, and 38 reported on health inequalities within the visually impaired UK or Irish population. Stroke survivors with visual impairment face inconsistency in eye care provision nationally, along with variability in the assessment and management of visual disorders. The subgroups identified as most at risk were females; black ethnicity; lower socioeconomic status; older age; and those with lower education attainment. The issue of inconsistent service provision for this population must be addressed in future research. Further research must be conducted in order to firmly establish whether or not stroke survivors are at risk of the aforementioned sociodemographic and economic inequalities.