A Pattern of Age-related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Introduction: Age related macular degeneration is a disorder of the macula most often clinically
apparent affecting central vision and is one of the leading causes of blindness in the population
above 50 years. The aim of this study is to determine clinical profi le of AMD in Nepalese presenting
to a Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.
Methods: It was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. The subjects included in the study were those
presenting to the Ophthalmology department of Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital
from July 2007- Dec 2007.The total number of individuals included in the study were 402 and total
number of eyes were 804.
Results: AMD was observed in 5.2% out of 402 subjects of 40 years and above age group with
prevalence increasing with age. The prevalence of AMD was 0.7% within 40-50 years of age-group
individuals increasing to 2.6% in 51-60 years, 6.5% in 61-70 years and to 19.3% among subjects
above 71 years. This study revealed that the prevalence of AMD in females was higher with female
preponderance in ratio of 2.5:1. 52.5 % AMD subjects in our study had visual impairment with 6/24-
6/60 vision and 15% had vision <3/60-PL. Our study revealed statistically signifi cant increased risk
for AMD with aging (p=0.00). Increased risk was observed in female gender and diabetics though the
Odds ratio (OR) was statistically insignifi cant (p=>0.01).
Conclusions: Prevalence of AMD in Nepalese presenting to Kathmandu Medical College Teaching
Hospital was 5% with female preponderance in ratio of 2.5:1. Aging showed statistically signifi cant
increased risk for AMD development in this study.
Key Words: Age-related macular degeneration, blindness, Nepalese, prevalence