Age-related macular degeneration in Hong Kong Chinese — angiographic features and outcomes

Abstract

Aim: To study the clinical presentation, angiographic features, treatment modalities and visual outcomes of patients with wet type age-related macular degeneration presenting to a tertiary eye center in Hong Kong.

Materials and methods: Retrospective review of case records of all patients with fundus fluorescein angiography done over a 2-year period at Tung Wah Eastern Hospital.

Results: In total, 57 patients were included. The mean age was 71.2 years. The male to female ratio was approximately 7:3. Less than one-third of patients presented with an acute drop in vision or metamorphopsia. The visual acuity of the presenting eye was 4/60 or worse in 54.4% of patients. The visual acuity of the fellow eye was relatively good in most cases. 84.2% of patients had features of age- related macular degeneration affecting both eyes at presentation. Treatable choroidal neovascular membranes were detected in five patients (8.8%). Laser treatment resulted in stable or improved vision for four of the five patients. 56.2% of the non-treated group and 21.1% of fellow eyes had progressive deterioration of vision.

Conclusion: Age-related macular degeneration is a potentially treatable disease. Enhanced publicity of the importance of early detection might be helpful in preventing blindness in the elderly population.