Article
Long-term Solar Radiation Damage to the Macula: A Risk Factor for Age-related Macular Degeneration
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Published: | June 18, 2008 |
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Purpose: A clinical epidemiological study has been conducted as a part of research project investigating long-term solar radiation (specially ultraviolet radiation: UVR) damage to the macula, as a factor contributing to the onset of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).
Subjects and methods: The study included 623 subjects older than 50 from two different geographic areas, one with high solar radiation (the island of Solta – Region 1) and the other, with low solar radiation (Zagreb and its surroundings – Region 2). Individual exposure to UVR was assessed according to global exposure to sunlight, on the basis of detailed history of life-long exposure to sunlight, with special reference to professional history and geophysical specificities of the respective areas. Different grades of ARMD were based on the fundus photographs and flourescein angiography.
Results: Statistically significant relation was found between ARMD and mean daily exposure (in hours) to solar radiation in Region 1 (chi-square =186,22; p=0,000), Region 2 (chi-square =25,66; p=0,000) and in both regions together (chi-square = 216,43; p=0,000). ARMD is more frequent in the subjects belonging to the region with high solar radiation (Region 1) and with the same exposure to sunlight (eight hours and more) which goes in favor of their increased UVR exposure.
Conclusion: The results support a relationship between long-term sunlight macula damage and increased risk of ARMD.