Prevalence of Age-related Macular Degeneration among Elderly Bulgarian Population

Authors

  • Evelina Marinova National Center of Public Health and Analyses, Bulgaria
  • Elena Mermeklieva Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7546/CRABS.2024.09.16

Keywords:

age-related macular degeneration, AMD, prevalence, elderly

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness worldwide in an older patient population with the highest risk of disease development in individuals older than 65 years. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of AMD and its stages among the elderly population of Sofia city. An observational study among elderly Sofia citizens, held as prophylactic ophthalmological examinations was performed. The participants underwent full ophthalmic examination including autorefractometry, noncontact tonometry, best-corrected visual acuity measurement, biomicroscopy, and indirect ophthalmoscopy through a dilated pupil. Optical coherent tomography was performed in cases with difficulties to determine the stage of AMD or when the visual acuity did not correspond to the ophthalmoscopy findings. All participants were asked to fill in informed consent and a specifically structured questionnaire based on the modified Wolffson LVQOL questionnaire that was previously used in the study in Eastern Bulgaria (in 2014 by Nencheva). Overall 700 patients, with a median age of 74 years (69 to 96 years) met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of AMD, early, intermediate and late AMD was estimated as 26.1%, 14%, 6.6%, and 5.6%, respectively. Age was strongly associated with the prevalence of AMD and its stages. The ageing of the population in Bulgaria and worldwide and the large proportion of elderly persons, affected by AMD, emphasize the necessity of regular ophthalmological examinations of that part of the population. The timely diagnosis and treatment are very important for diminishing of blindness and visual impairment.

Author Biographies

Evelina Marinova, National Center of Public Health and Analyses, Bulgaria

Mailing Address:
National Center of Public Health and Analyses,
Public Health and Health Risk Directorate,
15 Akad. Ivan Evstratiev Geshov Blvd, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria

Е-mail: dok.e.marinova@gmail.com

Elena Mermeklieva, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria

Mailing Address:
Clinic of Ophthalmology, Lozenetz University Hospital,
Medical Faculty, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”,
1 Eliezer Papo St, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: elenamermeklieva@yahoo.com

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Published

30-09-2024

How to Cite

[1]
E. Marinova and E. Mermeklieva, “Prevalence of Age-related Macular Degeneration among Elderly Bulgarian Population”, C. R. Acad. Bulg. Sci., vol. 77, no. 9, pp. 1400–1407, Sep. 2024.

Issue

Section

Medicine