[Epidemiologic survey of senile macular degeneration]

An epidemiologic survey of senile macular degeneration (SMD) was conducted among 3351 persons in Chenzhou District, Hunan. The research showed that the overall incidence of SMD was 5.88%, and that for persons over 65 years was 16.83%. Furthermore, the incidence was 7.33% among peasants, 4.94% among factory workers, 2.78% among office cadres, and 7.98% among miners. Under ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography, 89.34% of the cases were of the atrophic type, and 10.66% the exudative type. Stepwise regression analysis was done with the computer; the conclusion was that the incidence increased with age and was related to occupation. The authors dwelt upon the relationship between light damage and the incidence of SMD.