The Prevalence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Asians: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Received 7 June 2009; received in revised form 23 July 2009; accepted 2 October 2009. published online 27 January 2010. Corrected Proof
Objective
To determine the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Asian populations and to compare this with prevalence in white populations.
Design
A clear understanding of AMD prevalence in Asians is essential to meet future demands for eye health care.
Methods
We searched published literature reporting AMD prevalence in Asian populations. We limited studies examined to those using standardized grading systems (either the Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System or the International classification proposed by the International ARM Epidemiological Study Group). We used metaanalytical methods to calculate age-specific pooled prevalence of AMD using inverse-variance weighting in a random effect model. We also calculated pooled estimates of age-standardized prevalence. A metaregression model was used to examine gender differences and differences between Asian and white populations.
Results
We identified 9 studies reporting AMD prevalence from 4 Asian populations. Pooled prevalence estimates of early and late AMD in Asian populations aged 40 to 79 years were 6.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.6%–8.9%) and 0.56% (95% CI, 0.30%–0.81%), respectively; corresponding prevalence estimates in white populations were 8.8% (95% CI, 3.8%–13.8%) and 0.59% (95% CI, 0.35%–0.84%), respectively. Reliable prevalence estimates of AMD in Asian persons aged ≥80 years were not available owing to small subject numbers in this age category.
Conclusions
Among persons aged 40 to 79 years, the age-specific prevalence of late AMD in Asians was comparable with that reported from white populations, but early AMD signs were less common among Asians. Further studies in Asian populations are warranted to investigate whether certain specific AMD phenotypes or subtypes, such as polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, are more common.
Financial Disclosure(s)
Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Available online: •••.
1Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia
2Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan
3Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Kyusyu, Japan
4Department of Ophthalmology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
5Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan
6Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
7Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney, Australia
8Singapore Eye Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Correspondence Tien Yin Wong, MD, MPH, PhD, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore 168751, Singapore
Manuscript no. 2009-766.
Tien Yin Wong - Consultant, Lecturer, S - Allergan Inc., Pfizer Inc. and Novartis Inc.
Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia, 52993”.
ABSTRACT