Purpose To determine the association of hydroxymethylglutarylcoenzyme A (HMG Co-A) reductase inhibitor (statin) use with the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods This cross-sectional study included 5604 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2008, Z40 years of age, who were ascertained with regard to the diagnosis of AMD, the use of statins, and comorbidities and health-related behaviors such as smoking. Results The mean age of participants denying or confirming a history of AMD was 68 (SEM 0.90) and 55 (SEM 0.36) years, respectively. Individuals 68 years of age or older who were classified as long-term users of statins had statistically significant less self-reported AMD (odds ratio (OR) 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-0.84; P ¼ 0.002), after adjusting for potential confounding variables. No significant association was found between the prevalence of AMD and statin consumption among subjects between 40 and 67 years of age (OR 1.61, 95% CI 0.85-3.03; P ¼ 0.137). Conclusions Our results suggest a possible beneficial effect of statin intake for the prevention of AMD in individuals 68 years of age or older.

Objective To investigate the association between oral contraceptive (OC) use and glaucoma prevalence in the United States. Design Cross-sectional study. Participants 3406 female participants, 40 years of age or older, from the 2005–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, who reported a presence or absence of glaucoma or ocular hypertension, completed both the vision and reproductive health questionnaires and underwent eye examinations. Methods Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between OC use and self-reported glaucoma or ocular hypertension (n=231 cases), controlling for potential confounders including age, ethnicity, systemic comorbidities such as hypertension and stroke, ocular diseases such as cataract and diabetic retinopathy, reproductive health factors including age at menopause, age at menarche, history of hormone replacement therapy and gynecological surgical history. Main Outcome Measures The outcome variable was self-reported glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Results After adjusting for confounders, those with ≥3 years of OC use had greater odds (odds ratio= 1.94, 95% confidence interval=1.22–3.07) of self-reported glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Other factors associated with higher glaucoma or ocular hypertension prevalence included older age, African American race, and later age of menarche. Conclusion OC use may be associated with increased risk of self-reported glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

The purpose of the study was to correlate the Fourier-domain OCT ganglion cell complex (GCC) parameters with automated perimetry (AP) functional measures of the optic nerve. This retrospective study included patients who had previously undergone examination with the RTVue-100 OCT and AP, SITA strategy. The parameters of GCC (average, superior, inferior, S-I [superior inferior difference], S-I SD [standard deviation of S-I], GLV [global loss volume] and FLV [focal loss volume]) were correlated with the mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) values of AP using linear and logarithmic regression analysis. All correlations between GCC and automated perimetry parameters were strong (r > 0.60), except that for SI and MD (r = -0.05); SI and PSD (r = 0.09); SI-DS and MD (r = -0.06); and SI-SD and PSD (r = 0.08). In summary, GCC derived structural measures showed good correlation with functional parameters from AP.

To correlate the ganglion cell complex (GCC) parameters with structural measures of the optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) as evaluated by Fourier-Domain optic coherence tomography (OCT). This retrospective study included patients with glaucoma, ocular hypertensive patients and glaucoma suspects who had previously undergone OCT examination with the RTVue-100. The parameters of GCC (average, superior, inferior, focal loss volume [FLV], global loss volume [GLV]) were correlated with the values of the ONH (cup volume, cup area, horizontal cup-to-disk ratio, vertical cup-to-disk ratio, and rim area) and RNFL (average, superior, and inferior) using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The sample included 74 eyes of 37 patients. All correlations between GCC parameters and RNFL were strong (r > 0.60). The correlation between GCC parameters and ONH were good for most parameters, except that for FLV and cup volume (r = 0.13), GLV and cup volume (r = 0.09), and GLV and cup area (r = 0.21). The GCC parameters can be used as structural measures of the glaucomatous optic neuropathy.