A review of the literature concerning the epidemiology of senile macular degeneration.
Senile macular degeneration (SMD) is a disease which predominates in older age groups, limiting the ability of affected persons to function visually in their environment. The discussion here is an account of what is known of the natural history of SMD. We examined the available data concerning the incidence and prevalence of SMD, and some reports on newly discovered risk factors associated with this condition were also examined. Included is our own estimation of the prevalence of bilateral SMD, an important statistic for rehabilitation purposes.
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014481:United States