Common eye diseases in older adults of southern Germany: results from the KORA-Age study.

Purpose: a population-based study in the region of Augsburg (Germany, KORA) was used to identify the prevalence of eye diseases and their risk factors in a sample of aged individuals. Methods: data originated from the KORA-Age study collected in 2012 and 822 participants (49.6% women, 50.4% men, aged 68-96 years) were asked standardised questions about eye diseases. Positive answers were validated and specified by treating ophthalmologists. Additional information came from laboratory data. Polymorphic markers were tested for candidate genes. Results: we received validations and specifications for 339 participants. The most frequent eye diseases were cataracts (299 cases, 36%), dry eyes (120 cases, 15%), glaucoma (72 cases, 9%) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (68 cases, 8%). Almost all participants suffering from glaucoma or from AMD also had cataracts. Cataract surgery was associated with diabetes (in men; OR = 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-4.53; P = 0.025) and smoking (in women; OR = 6.77; CI 1.62-28.35; P = 0.009). In men, treatments in airway diseases was associated with cataracts (glucocorticoids: OR = 5.29, CI 1.20-23.37; P = 0.028; sympathomimetics: OR = 4.57, CI 1.39-15.00; P = 0.012). Polymorphisms in two genes were associated with AMD (ARMS2: OR = 2.28, CI 1.48-3.51; P = 0.005; CFH: OR = 2.03, CI 1.35-3.06; P = 0.010). Conclusion: combinations of eye diseases were frequent at old age. The importance of classical risk factors like diabetes, hypertension and airway diseases decreased either due to a survivor bias leaving healthier survivors in the older age group, or due to an increased influence of other up to now unknown risk factors.

The KORA Eye Study: a population-based study on eye diseases in Southern Germany (KORA F4).

PURPOSE: The population-based KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg [Germany]) study was used to evaluate the prevalence of eye diseases and potential interactions with general health status, laboratory data, medication, and genetic background. METHODS: In all, 2593 probands, ranging in age from 32 to 71 years (mean: 52 years), were asked in a standardized interview for the presence of cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal or retinal disorders; positive answers were validated and specified by treating ophthalmologists. Additional data came from a questionnaire or from laboratory data. RESULTS: We validated 10 probands with corneal diseases (validation rate: 32%), 26 with retinal diseases (validation rate: 60%), 40 with glaucoma (validation rate: 75%), and 100 participants with cataracts (validation rate: 88%). Glaucoma was significantly associated with increasing age, diabetes and its treatment, and the use of drugs in airway diseases. Cataracts were significantly associated with increasing age, female sex, hypertension, and diabetes. In females, cataracts were particularly associated with the use of ophthalmological corticosteroids, some antihypertensives, and antidiabetics. In contrast, cataracts in males were associated only with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. We also tested some polymorphic markers; two (GJA8, CRYBB3) were significantly associated with cataracts. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported ocular diagnoses by questionnaire showed varying degrees of accuracy; this method of data collection is valid, providing confirmation is obtained from treating ophthalmologists. It revealed a similar profile of major risk factors for cataracts (age, female sex, and diabetes) in Germany like that of other international studies. The reported associations between medical treatment and genetic polymorphisms in early-onset cataract merit further functional study.