PurposeTo study the association of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4073 in the interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) promoter region with the diagnosis and age of onset of exudative age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) in association with the known genetic risk factors for AMD and tobacco smoking.MethodsMedical records, smoking history and angiograms or fundus photographs of 301 patients with exudative AMD, 72 patients with dry AMD and 119 control subjects were analysed retrospectively. The associations of IL‐8 rs4073 A→T, CFH rs1061170 T→C, ARMS2 rs10490924 G→T and C3 rs2230199 C→G SNPs with the presence of AMD and with the age of onset of exudative AMD were analysed.ResultsYounger age of exudative AMD onset was associated with the homozygous AA genotype of IL‐8 rs4073 (p = 0.009, Mann–Whitney U‐test), CC genotype of CFH rs1061170 (p = 0.016), TT genotype of ARMS2 rs10490924 (p = 0.001) and with current smoking (p = 0.002). The risk alleles C in CFH rs1061170 (p < 0.0001, Pearson chi‐square) and T in ARMS2 rs10490924 (p < 0.0001), as well as smoking (p < 0.0001), were more prevalent in AMD patients compared with controls. No association was found between the IL‐8 rs4073 genotype and the presence of AMD.ConclusionOut of the factors associated with the earlier onset of exudative AMD, only the genotype of IL‐8 rs4073 did not appear as a risk factor for AMD in general. IL‐8 may have a role in accelerating the development of the choroidal neovascularization in exudative AMD.
ABSTRACT.Purpose: To analyse lesion components determining retinal sensitivity in microperimetry in eyes with newly diagnosed exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Methods: Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, microperimetry, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein (FA) and indocyanine green (ICGA) angiographies of 23 eyes of 23 patients were analysed. Central microperimetry grids with 28 test stimulus sites were automatically aligned with three-dimensional OCTs and manually aligned with angiographies. Thicknesses of the neuroretina, neuroepithelial detachment (NED), retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) elevation and subretinal tissue were measured under the 644 microperimetry stimulus sites. Areas of classic and occult choroidal neovascularizations (CNVs), subretinal and intraretinal haemorrhage, and late hyperfluorescence in ICGA were identified. The impact of the lesion components on retinal sensitivity was evaluated with correlation analysis and multivariate modelling.Results: Decreased retinal sensitivity correlated significantly with the presence of CNV, haemorrhage, subretinal tissue and RPE elevation. Out of the OCT parameters, the most important determinant of sensitivity was the thickness of RPE elevation (Spearman's rho, r = )0.202, p < 0.0001). The thicknesses of subretinal tissue (r = )0.168, p < 0.0001) and NED had weaker effects (r = )0.147, p < 0.0001), and the neuroretinal thickness remained nonsignificant. In multivariate modelling, RPE elevation and subretinal tissue in OCT, CNV membranes in angiographies and haemorrhage had the strongest impacts on retinal sensitivity.
Conclusion:The most important lesion components affecting retinal function were RPE elevation and subretinal tissue in OCT as well as neovascular membranes and haemorrhage in angiographies. NED and neuroretinal thickening remained less significant.
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