Epidemiology of Age-Related Macular Degeneration among the Elderly Population in Thailand
Rossukon Khotcharrat MD*, Direk Patikulsila MD**, Prut Hanutsaha MD***, Ubonrat Khiaocham MD****, Tanapat Ratanapakorn MD*****, Manote Sutheerawatananonda PhD******, Supasit Pannarunothai MD, PhD*******
Affiliation : * Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand ** Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand *** Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand **** Department of Ophthalmology, Jomtong Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand ***** Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ****** School of Food Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand ******* Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
Objective : To estimate the prevalence and associated factors of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Thailand.
Material and Method: This cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2010. Five provinces were selected and people aged
50 years and over were invited for eye examination. Demographic and health behaviors and data from eye examination
equipment were registered. Ophthalmologists graded AMD as early or late based on fundus color photograph and image
from optical coherence tomography. Logistic regressions were analyzed to establish association factors for AMD.
Results : Of the 7,043 participants, AMD was found in 862 people (12.2%), with more than half (53.1%) found in both eyes.
Most cases (94.3%) were early dry, 1.8% early wet, 3.4% late dry, and 0.7% late wet AMD. Factors positively associated
with AMD were age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.04), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.03-1.39), and consumption of
yellow vegetable (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.23-4.39). Factors that conversely associated with AMD were consumption of green
vegetable (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.33-0.79), physical exercise (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.51-0.87), high blood pressure (OR 0.75, 95%
CI 0.63-0.89), and heavy drinking habit (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.26-0.75).
Conclusion : The prevalence of AMD in Thai population age 50 and over was 12.2%. More than half (53.1%) of the cases
were found in both eyes, but few at severe stages. The present study confirmed age and DM as positive associated factors,
and green vegetable, exercise as negative associated factors. Further research should investigate the effects of hypertension,
yellow vegetable, and alcohol drinking on AMD.
Keywords : Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Epidemiology, Associated factor, Thailand
