Adult-onset macular degeneration in the Cayo Santiago macaques

Since 1985 a group from the University of Florida has examined 136 rhesus monkeys from the Cayo Santiago colony. From the sample, 97 are older than nine years (approximately 30 human years) and 39 are younger. Drusen were found in 17% of the younger eyes and in 46% of the older eyes. All animals over 25 years of age had drusen in the central fundus. The incidence of drusen varied from 19-77% between five social groups. Incidence reported in random-source colonies in the continental U.S.A. is about six percent. Compared to near-age matched controls without drusen, selected rhesus exhibited visual resolution losses amounting to two Snellen-lines or more. The end-stage disciform changes and ultrastructural similarities are comparable with human macular disease. Future prospective studies may include therapies, surgical intervention, environmental manipulation and genetic research.