Alcohol use and age-related maculopathy in the Beaver Dam Eye Study.
OBJECTIVE
Because there are few epidemiologic data examining the relationship between alcohol use and age-related maculopathy, we investigated this relationship via the population-based Beaver Dam Eye Study.


METHODS
Alcohol consumption in the year before examination was determined by a standardized questionnaire. Age-related maculopathy status was determined by grading stereoscopic color fundus photographs.


RESULTS
While controlling for other factors, consumption of beer in the past year was related to greater odds of increased retinal pigment degeneration (odds ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.02, 1.25) and exudative macular degeneration (odds ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.05, 1.88). Current consumption of neither wine nor liquor was related to early or late age-related maculopathy.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest a relationship between beer consumption and greater odds of having exudative macular degeneration. Whether this is from a toxic effect specific to beer or from other unknown confounders cannot be determined.
Ritter
L L
LL
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison 53792-3220, USA.
Klein
R
R
Klein
B E
BE
Mares-Perlman
J A
JA
Jensen
S C
SC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001515:Beer / Q000009:adverse effects; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014920:Wine / Q000009:adverse effects; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology