Association between severity of age-related macular degeneration and systemic atherosclerosis

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18400
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: Kindai University
• Principal Investigator: Mano Fukutaro 近畿大学, 医学部, 助教 (10868087)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 加齢黄斑変性 / ドルーゼン / reticular pseudodrusen / 頚動脈エコー / 動脈硬化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study focused on reticular pseudodrusen (RPD), which is believed to be associated with early progression of age-related macular degeneration, and conducted a study to evaluate the degree of intima-media complex thickening (Max-IMT) and vascular stiffness (vascular resistance index) of the inner carotid artery on carotid Doppler echography. Although there was no significant difference between age-related macular degeneration and Max-IMT, the group with RPD had a significantly higher vascular resistance index, suggesting that RPD may be a pathological condition related to vascular stiffness and fibrosis rather than lipid-related changes.

Free Research Field

網膜硝子体

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では加齢黄斑変性の重症度、また特徴的な前駆病変のひとつであるRPDと、全身の動脈硬化の関係を定量的に明らかにした。RPDは血管硬化・線維化に関連しており、血圧の是正や食生活の改善、運動療法などを勧めることができるほか、眼科的な診断から心筋梗塞や脳梗塞などの血管病変の早期発見・早期治療にもつながる可能性があると考えられる。