Ophthalmology (Eye & Ear Hospital) - Research Publications

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Author: Baird, Paul × Start date: 2005 × End date: 2009 ×

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    Can HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors ("statins") slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration? The Age-Related Maculopathy Statin Study (ARMSS)
    Guymer, RH ; Dimitrov, PN ; Varsamidis, M ; Lim, LL ; Baird, PN ; Vingrys, AJ ; Robman, L (DOVE MEDICAL PRESS LTD, 2008)
    Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is responsible for the majority of visual impairment in the Western world. The role of cholesterol-lowering medications, HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors or statins, in reducing the risk of AMD or of delaying its progression has not been fully investigated. A 3-year prospective randomized controlled trial of 40 mg simvastatin per day compared to placebo in subjects at high risk of AMD progression is described. This paper outlines the primary aims of the Age-Related Maculopathy Statin Study (ARMSS), and the methodology involved. Standardized clinical grading of macular photographs and comparison of serial macular digital photographs, using the International grading scheme, form the basis for assessment of primary study outcomes. In addition, macular function is assessed at each visit with detailed psychophysical measurements of rod and cone function. Information collected in this study will assist in the assessment of the potential value of HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors (statins) in reducing the risk of AMD progression.
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    The Q368STOP myocilin mutation in a population-based cohort: The Blue Mountains Eye Study
    Baird, PN ; Richardson, AJ ; Craig, JE ; Rochtchina, E ; Mackey, DA ; Mitchell, P (ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC, 2005-06)
    PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of the Q368STOP myocilin mutation in a population-based cohort: the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES). DESIGN: Population-based study. METHODS: DNA was extracted from 2,142 individuals collected through the BMES, including 31 individuals with glaucoma. All individuals were screened for the presence of the Q368STOP mutation of myocilin. Genotyping of the microsatellite markers My5, My3, D1S2815, and D1S1619 was also undertaken. RESULTS: None of the 31 open-angle glaucoma-positive individuals presented with the Q368STOP mutation. However, two individuals (aged 56 and 72) with no clinical signs of OAG, were identified with this mutation. Allele sharing at the four microsatellite markers defining the Q368STOP disease haplotype for OAG was found in these two individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The Q368STOP myocilin mutation occurs at a low prevalence (0.09%) in a general, older population.
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    Analysis of the EFEMP1 gene in individuals and families with early onset drusen
    Narendran, N. ; Guymer, R. H. ; Cain, M. ; Baird, P. N. (Nature Publishing Group, 2005-01)
    Aims Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is considered a complex genetic disease, although the genetic influences are not yet fully understood. Genetic analysis is hampered by the late onset of disease and the difficulty in obtaining multigenerational families. To investigate this problem further we studied our population of early onset drusen cases. The Arg345Trp mutation on exon 10 of the EGF-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) gene causes two clinical phenotypes of early onset drusen (Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy and Malattia Leventinese), yet does not appear to be involved in other early onset drusen phenotypes or typical AMD. We wished to ascertain the involvement of the EFEMP1 gene in our population of sporadic and familial subjects presenting with early onset drusen! and t heir affected relatives.Methods Individuals presenting with drusen/end-stage maculopathy at 60 years or under were identified from retinal clinics in Melbourne. All available first- and second-degree relatives were also examined. In all, 116 ethnically matched controls were collected from the same community for comparison.Results Single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and subsequent sequencing revealed four previously described and three novel sequence variations. Most occurred at similar frequencies in the case and control populations and were not thought to be disease associated.ConclusionThe term early onset drusen encompasses a wide range of phenotypes and our findings indicate that it is likely that more than one gene is involved in its causation. It is essential that these clinical phenotypes are well described and categorised to allow greater possibility! of su ccess in the search for other disease genes.