Alcohol consumption and the 15-year cumulative incidence of age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate alcohol consumption as a risk factor for the 15-year cumulative incidence and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
Prospective population-based study in Beaver Dam, WI with four examinations at five-year intervals initiated in 1988 (n = 3,509 contributed data for this analysis).


METHODS
History of alcohol consumption was obtained via questionnaire. Cumulative incidence of early AMD, exudative AMD, pure geographic atrophy, and progression of AMD were assessed from fundus photographs taken at each examination.


RESULTS
Heavy drinking (four or more drinks daily) at baseline was related to the 15-year cumulative incidence of pure geographic atrophy in men (odds ratio, 9.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 51.2). There were no consistent associations with the amount of beer, wine, or liquor consumption and the incidence or progression of AMD.


CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol consumption is unlikely to strongly increase (or decrease) the risk of AMD.
Knudtson
Michael D
MD
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, USA. knudtson@epi.ophth.wisc.edu
Klein
Ronald
R
Klein
Barbara E K
BE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology