Drusen prevalence and pigmentary changes in Caucasians aged 18-54 years.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of drusen and pigmentary changes in a middle-aged population.


METHODS
Retinal images from 500 individuals aged 18-54 years were included. The source of participants was two UK optometry practices. Retinal images were graded using the Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System. However, owing to the relatively young age of the population studied, a new category of drusen of smaller size (<31.5 μm) was introduced.


RESULTS
Drusen were identified within the central macular grid in 91.48% of all gradable eyes and in 444 subjects. Drusen sized <31.5 μm were present in 89.7% of eyes, drusen sized >31.5 μm and <63 μm were present in 45.9% of all eyes and drusen >63 μm and <125 μm were present in only 1.7% of eyes. No eye had drusen larger or equal to 125 μm. Very few eyes (1.2%) showed pigmentary changes within the grid. Drusen load increased with increasing age, P <0.001.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of drusen in a younger Caucasian population aged 18-54 years is high, with 91.48% of all gradable eyes having drusen. The most frequent drusen subtype was hard distinct drusen <31.5 μm. No druse greater or equal in size to 125 μm was seen. Pigmentary changes are rare.
Centre for Vision & Vascular Science, Queen's University of Belfast, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Antrim BT12 6BA, UK. g.silvestri@qub.ac.uk
G
G
Silvestri
M A
MA
Williams
C
C
McAuley
K
K
Oakes
E
E
Sillery
D C
DC
Henderson
S
S
Ferguson
V
V
Silvestri
K A
KA
Muldrew
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography; D015995:Prevalence; D015593:Retinal Drusen / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000473:pathology*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology*; D055815:Young Adult