Article
Does presence of a cilioretinal artery protect against age-related macular degeneration?: The Muenster Age and Retina Study (MARS)
Search Medline for
Authors
Published: | September 22, 2004 |
---|
Outline
Text
Objective
A cilioretinal artery (CRA) provides additional macular blood supply. Its potential role in the pathogenesis of age-related maculopathy (ARM) and macular degeneration (AMD) is unknown. In MARS we examined a possible association between the presence of a CRA and prevalent ARM or AMD.
Methods
1063 patients were examined in MARS by means of digitalized stereoscopic fundus photography. The presence of a CRA was recorded separately in each eye. A standardized fundus grading was done using the criteria of the Rotterdam-study. Each eye was classified into three groups: no retinal pathology, ARM (drusen and/or pigment alterations) or late AMD.
Results
A CRA was found in 254 of 1987 gradable eyes (=12,8%). The presence in both eyes was only 4,2% of all patients. There was no significant difference in the presence of a CRA by sex, age or smoking. Eyes with a CRA had in 63,8% signs of ARM or AMD. Eyes without a CRA had a ARM or AMD in 71,6% (OR = 0,70; p=0,01). In multivariate logistic regressions adjusting for age, sex and smoking, late AMD was less frequently found in eyes with a CRA (OR = 0,56; p=0,0135).
Conclusions
Our results support the hypothesis that a cilioretinal artery is a mild protecting factor against AMD. These results need independent confirmation.