Age-related Bruch's membrane change: a clinical study of the relative role of heredity and environment.

摘要: For many years there has been controversy concerning the role of genetic influences in pathogenesis age-related macular disease. It is widely believed that lesions causing visual loss occur response to changes Bruch's membrane which are recognised clinically as drusen. In this study density, size, and confluence drusen shown on colour photographs were compared eyes 50 spouses 53 sibling pairs ascertained during a prospective Concordance between drusen--number, density-were determined by kappa statistic chi 2 test for trend. Drusen absent one 26 patients. There was trend towards concordance characteristics siblings but not spouses, although difference achieved 5% significance only number density central macula. The probands significant all characteristics. These findings support belief factors influence membrane. They also imply environmental less important or alternatively variation households included our great enough be evident.