Ophthalmology (Eye & Ear Hospital) - Theses

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Assessment of environmental and genetic risk factors for age-related macular degeneration

ADAMS, MADELEINE ( 2012)

This thesis consists of two sections. Section one presents the results of associations found between environmental factors and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a prospective cohort study, Section 2 presents genetic associations and interactions found between AMD risk genes and environmental risk factors from a case-control study nested in the cohort. Section One Aim: To investigate associations between environmental factors and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS). Material & Methods: Participants included 21 287 men and women, who were aged 40–69 years at baseline (1990–1994 (48 to 86 years at follow up). Participant's body compositions were measured and alcohol and nutrient intakes were estimated from a food frequency questionnaire at baseline in 1990-94. At follow up from 2003-2007, digital macula photographs of both eyes were taken and evaluated for signs of early and late AMD. Section Two Aim: Associations between genotype and AMD were assessed using a nested case-control study (2,287 cases, 2,287 controls individually matched on age, sex and country-of-origin), selected from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. Statistical interactions between selected environmental and genetic risk factors were evaluated.