[Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration].

PURPOSE: To present the results of examinations of the risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) carried out in the last 3 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our clinical material comprised 119 patients, 69 women and 50 men, aged 43-85, mean age 70 years. Using classification according to the worse eye, there were 20 patients with drusen, 27 with atrophic changes and 72 with exudative form and AMD. The following risk factors were evaluated: age, sex, body mass index, history of general medical conditions, cigarette smoking, sun exposure, family history of AMD and ocular conditions such as iris color, lens opacities, hyperopia, gerontoxon and changes in retinal vessels. RESULTS: The significant relationships were found between the development of AMD and the age of patients, as well as between the advanced forms of AMD and the history of cardiovascular diseases and sclerotic changes in retinal vessels, 87% of examined patients have light iris and 52% body mass index above 26. CONCLUSIONS: The studies confirmed the role of age in the development of AMD and indicated cardiovascular disturbances, increased body mass index and light iris as the possible risk factors for AMD that are most worth further studying. The special attention should be also paid to drusen as the risk factor of AMD.