The relation of socioeconomic factors to the incidence of early age-related maculopathy: the Beaver Dam eye study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between socioeconomic factors and the 5-year incidence of age-related maculopathy.


METHODS
The Beaver Dam Eye Study, a population-based cohort study, examined 3681 adults (range, 43-86 years of age at baseline) living in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, at baseline and 5 years later. Standardized protocols for physical examination, including administration of a questionnaire that included questions regarding income, education level, and status and type of employment, and fundus photography to determine age-related maculopathy, were performed.


RESULTS
While controlling for age and sex, less education, and being in a service-related occupation compared with a white collar professional occupation, was associated (P <.05) with the incidence of early age-related maculopathy.


CONCLUSIONS
These data show an association of education and occupation but not income with the incidence of early age-related maculopathy that appears independent of smoking or vitamin supplement use status.
Klein
R
R
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin 53705-2397, USA. kleinr@epi.ophth.wisc.edu
Klein
B E
BE
Jensen
S C
SC
Moss
S E
SE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007182:Income; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology