In this study, the researchers sought to determine the features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the Black Barbadian population. A random group of Barbados-born citizens 40 to 84 years of age was selected. A total of 3,444 participants completed examinations at the study site and had gradable macular photographs taken of both eyes. Data were analyzed based on these 30° stereoscopic macular photographs.
It was found that drusen larger than 63 µm occurred with similar frequency among male and female participants. The frequency of small drusen decreased with age. Medium and large drusen were more common in older participants. Similar frequencies of all characteristics were found for male and female participants, except for small drusen, which affected more female participants. The occurrence of confluent drusen and pigment atrophy increased significantly with age. Wet AMD was found to be present in 0.5% of the participants.
In conclusion, features of dry AMD were found to be common in the Black Barbadian population but were less prevalent in this population than in white populations. Wet AMD was found to be uncommon in this population. A call to action is made for further research on the frequency of features of AMD in other Black populations [1].
Source:
[1] Schachat, A. P. (1995). Features of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Black Population. Archives of Ophthalmology, 113(6), 728. https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.1995.01100060054032
