Objective: To investigate the prevalence of age-related maculopathy (AMD) in Shanghai residents older than 50 years.
Methods: 1023 individuals were examined in the years 2002 and 2003 for clinical and subjective signs of dry and exudative AMD. A interview concerning clinical symptoms of AMD as also a complete eye exam was performed. Non-mydriatic retinoscopy was done by use of a direct opthalmoscopy. Fundus photography was used to confirm and document the diagnosis. The diagnosis of both forms of AMD was made according to the criteria of the Sub-society of Fundus Disease, Chinese Ophthalmological Society.
Results: 15.5% of the included population had AMD and 19 of them were exudative AMD. The prevalences of AMD in the age groups of 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and more than 80 were identified as 5.7%, 13.5%, 20.2% and 23.5%, respectively (chi(2) = 27.97, P < 0.01). No statistical differences were found concerning atrophic and exudative AMD related to gender, education, daily focus time, smoking, alcohol consumption and systematic diseases. In the AMD patients, 5.1% and 36.2% of the eyes were identified as blind or with low vision. In exudative AMD patients, 23.3% and 63.3% of the eyes were identified as blind or with low vision. The visual acuity of eyes with exudative AMD was significantly lower than the visual acuity of atrophic AMD eyes. (chi(2) = 15.4, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: The prevalence of AMD is high, and increasing with aging. The AMD, especially the exudative AMD, leads to severe visual impairment.