[Characteristics of age-related macular degeneration in Chinese population]

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly population and threatens the ability of patients to live independently. Ethnic differences are evident in the prevalence of AMD, its clinical features, as well as treatment responses to photodynamic therapy (PDT), most likely due to the differences in genetic backgrounds, disease susceptibility, living environments and habits. This article reviewed ethnic/racial differences in AMD, paying particular attention to the Chinese population, and highlighted the key findings. Compared to Caucasians, the prevalence of early and late stages of AMD is relatively lower and the polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is more commonly seen in the Chinese population. Regarding genetic susceptibility, the complement factor H (CFH) Y402H variant is not associated with exudative AMD in Chinese although it is strongly associated with AMD in Caucasians. In addition, visual outcome in Chinese patients with AMD seems to be better than that in Caucasian patients after PDT at 1 year follow-up.