Abstract
Aims:
To determine prevalence, associations, and risk factors for reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) in a UK population.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study of Bridlington residents aged ≥65 years. Masked grading of colour fundus photographs from 3549 participants. RPD presence, phenotype, and topography were recorded, demographic details were analysed, and prevalence was calculated.
Results:
RPD was detected in 281 eyes (176 individuals) of 3476 participants (5.06%) with gradable images, and bilateral in 76.6%. Digital enhancement increased detection by 15.7%. Prevalence increased significantly with age from 1.18% (65–69 years) to 27.27% (≥90 years) (mean age 81.1, SD 6.01; OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.15–1.21, p value <0.001), was higher in females (5.9% vs 4.0%; OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.09–2.13, p = 0.014), and associated with diabetes (OR 1.97, CI 1.20–3.17, p = 0.005). History of antihypertension treatment appeared protective (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.46–0.90, p = 0.009). RPD subtypes were dot in 18.5%, ribbon in 36.7%, and mixed in 36.3%. RPD were located outside the ETDRS grid in 88%, and most commonly in the outer superior subfield. Central grid involvement occurred in 12.1% of right and 14.3% of left eyes. RPD occurred in 25.9% of participants with grade 4 AMD in at least one eye. RPD was associated with visual dissatisfaction after controlling for age (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.45–0.88, p = 0.007).
Conclusion:
RPD occur more commonly than previously reported, most frequently in the upper–outer macular subfield, but also within the central subfield, albeit with reduced frequency and altered morphology. RPD may be associated with visual dissatisfaction and diabetes, but are less frequent in persons receiving antihypertension therapy.
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Acknowledgements
This research was funded in part by a Research Grant from the Macular Society UK, Andover, Hants, UK. The Bridlington Eye Assessment Project was funded by an unrestricted grant from Pfizer. We would also like to thank the following organisations for financial support of the Project: Pharmacia, Yorkshire Wolds and Coast Primary Care Trust, The Lords Feoffees of Bridlington, Bridlington Hospital League of Friends, The Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust, The National Eye Research Centre (Yorkshire), The Rotary Club of Bridlington, The Alexander Pigott Wernher Memorial Trust, Bridlington Lions Club, The Inner Wheel Club of Bridlington, Soroptimist International of Bridlington, and The Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust.
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Wilde, C., Poostchi, A., Mehta, R.L. et al. Prevalence of reticular pseudodrusen in an elderly UK Caucasian population—The Bridlington Eye Assessment Project (BEAP): a cross-sectional study (2002–2006). Eye 32, 1130–1137 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-018-0049-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-018-0049-8
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