Epidemiological Investigation Of Age-related Macular Degeneration Among Uygur Residents In Southern Xinjiang And Its Correlation With Sunlight Exposure

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of age-related macular degeneration(AMD)among Uygur residents in southern Xinjiang older than 50 year.Combined with CUVAF,we evaluated the relationship between AMD and sunlight exposure.Methods:Randomized cluster sampling was used in selecting residents aged 50or above in Kuche and Kashi County of Xinjiang from January to May 2017.A total of1202 individuals received visual acuity test,eye examination and conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence.The diagnosis of AMD was made according to a new consensus of the2012 International Beckmann AMD Classification Study Group.Results:A total of 1202subjects were surveyed and 73 patients(113 eyes)were diagnosed.The prevalence of AMD was 6.07%.The prevalence of Early and mid-term AMD was 3.99%,dry AMD was1.00%and wet AMD was 1.08%.The prevalence of AMD in the age groups of 50~59,60~69,70~79 and more than 80 were 4.35%,5.85%,11.38%and 14.81%.The prevalence of AMD was elevated with aging(?~2=15.008,P=0.002).The prevalence of blindness and low vision in wet AMD was 76.93%,respectively,which was higher than that in dry AMD41.67%(?~2=8.696,P<0.01).Non-AMD expressed more CUVAF area than AMD patients,with statistically significant differences(Z=-2.006,p=0.045).Conclusion:The prevalence of AMD among Uyghur residents aged 50 or above in southern Xinjiang is significantly lower than that in Europe and the United States.Age is an uncontrollable risk factor for AMD.Daylight exposure may be a protective factor for AMD.However,consider the comprehensive age and place of residence factors,both them did not show a correlation.