Age-related maculopathy and sunlight exposure evaluated by objective measurement

Abstract

Aim:To study the relationship between age-related maculopathy (ARM) and exposure to sunlight using an objective method.Methods:In a case–control study of Japanese men aged ⩾50 years (67 controls without ophthalmic disease and 148 with ARM), those with ARM were separated into groups of early (n = 75) and late (n = 73) ARM. Facial wrinkle length and area of hyperpigmentation, which are considered to be associated with exposure to sun, were measured using imaging with computer-based image analysis. Skin tone was also measured on the upper inner arm, which is not exposed to sun. Early and late ARM association with skin measurements was then evaluated.Results:Significantly more facial wrinkling (p = 0.047, odds ratio 3.8; 95% CI 1.01 to 13.97) and less facial hyperpigmentation (p = 0.035, odds ratio 0.3; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.92) was present in late ARM cases. The relationship between skin tone and ARM risk was not statistically significant.Conclusions:This objective method showed that lifetime exposure to sunlight is an important factor in the progression of late ARM. An individual’s reaction to sunlight exposure may have a role in ARM progression in addition to total lifetime exposure to sunlight.

Retinal light toxicity

“…Again, the study results did not conclusively associate increased sun exposure with the development of ARMD. 156 While the collected data does not firmly support photochemical oxidative stress as a definitive cause or exacerbating factor of age-related macular degeneration, there still remains a fundamental belief among many clinicians and scientists that oxidative stress whether metabolic, inflammatory, or photic in nature contributes to many of the changes seen in age-related macular degeneration.…”

The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration

“…The Blue Mountains Eye study suggested that blue iris color was associated with an increased risk of both late AMD and early maculopathy (27). Abnormal skin sensitivity to sunlight is also associated with an increased risk of AMD (29).…”

“…Excessive light exposure could reasonably be expected to be a substantial AMD risk factor based on the possibility that it aggravates oxidative damage to lipid membranes and proteins in chronic and acute conditions; however, it has been surprisingly difficult to demonstrate epidemiologically, and only a handful of studies have reported associations between long-term light exposure and AMD (29,36,37). Quantification of light exposure in participating cohorts is difficult, so most epidemiologic research has been restricted to studying long-term sun exposure conditions experienced by outdoor workers such as fishermen (38), in whom the association was determined by straightforward comparisons between participants who regularly wear hats and sunglasses and subjects who do not use any sun protection strategies (37,39).…”

The Protective Effects of a Dietary Carotenoid, Astaxanthin, Against Light-Induced Retinal Damage

“…Previous reports have suggested that excessive light exposure is one of the factors of AMD occlusion and that it promotes AMD progression (2). In addition, it has been reported that genetic aberrance causing retinal degeneration elevates photoreceptor fragility against light in RP (3).…”