Role of the vitreous in age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
The condition of the vitreous was examined by slit-lamp funduscopy and ultrasonography in 93 eyes of 50 patients with AMD (exudative or dry) and 100 eyes of 50 controls.


RESULTS
There was complete PVD in 31 of the 93 eyes (33.3%) of 50 patients with AMD and the posterior vitreous was attached in 62 of these eyes (66.6%). In the control group, in 50 eyes (50%) of 50 subjects there was posterior vitreous detachment. The prevalence of PVD in eyes with macular degeneration was significantly lower (P < .05). There was no statistically significant difference between the exudative and the nonexudative groups in respect to PVD.


CONCLUSIONS
PVD may have a protective role against the development of AMD. Chronic vitreomacular traction and/or continuous exposure to free radicals and cytokines may possibly be one of the causes of AMD in eyes with attached vitreous.
Ondeş
F
F
Ankara Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Cebeci, Turkey.
Yilmaz
G
G
Acar
M A
MA
Unlü
N
N
Kocaoğlan
H
H
Arsan
A K
AK
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012160:Retina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020255:Vitreous Detachment / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*