Chronic kidney disease, early age-related macular degeneration, and peripheral retinal drusen

To evaluate the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and peripheral retinal drusen in Korean adults 50 years and older.

This study included 3008 participants aged 50-87 years. Early AMD was assessed from retinal photographs based on modified Wisconsin AMD grading system and peripheral retinal drusen were assessed with a standardized examination. We defined CKD as estimated glomerular filtration rate of 60mL/min/1.73m(2) and below according to the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between early AMD, peripheral retinal drusen, and CKD.

There were 88 subjects with early AMD and 42 subjects with peripheral retinal drusen. After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, a significant association was found between CKD and peripheral retinal drusen as well as early AMD. Subjects with CKD were more likely to have early AMD (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.04-2.72) and peripheral retinal drusen (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.02-3.99) than those without CKD.

CKD was associated with peripheral retinal drusen as well as early AMD in Korean adults 50 years and older.