| Researchers at the Huntington Eye Infirmary and | | | | Center for Genotyping and Analysis, Miami, FL. |
| the Slay Laboratory, Cook Medical School, report | | | | and statistical analyses were done in the |
| how two behavioral factors together alter the | | | | Epidemiology Unit. |
| genetic susceptibility to age-related macular | | | | These findings convey an important message. |
| degeneration, associated with the common coding | | | | Although we cannot change our genotype, we |
| variant in the complement factor H gene, Y402H. | | | | can alter or modify our risk of getting AMD by |
| After controlling for genotype, the modifiable | | | | controlling our weight and not smoking. There is |
| lifestyle factors of smoking and body mass index | | | | no question that genetic factors play an important |
| were related to increased risk of AMD. The | | | | role in this disease. However, individuals with the |
| susceptibility to advanced AMD conferred by this | | | | risk genotype may be more motivated to adhere |
| common genetic polymorphism was modified by | | | | to healthy lifestyles such as not smoking, |
| body mass index, meaning there was a | | | | maintaining a normal weight, getting exercise, |
| statistically significant interaction between body | | | | eating an antioxidant rich diet, as well as fish, and |
| mass index and the Y402H genotype. Although | | | | getting exercise. |
| there was no statistical interaction between | | | | Macular degeneration is the leading cause of |
| smoking and the CFH genotype, both smoking | | | | irreversible visual impairment and blindness among |
| and genotype were independently associated with | | | | persons aged 60 and older. With the elderly |
| increased risk of Macular Degeneration. | | | | population steadily increasing, the burden related |
| Current smoking was associated with a sixfold | | | | to this low vision will increase. Limited treatment |
| increased risk and high body mass index was | | | | options exist for the late stages of the disease |
| associated with a twofold higher risk of Macular | | | | and prevention remains a promising approach for |
| Degeneration. The homozygous risk genotype | | | | addressing this health and lifestyle concern. Many |
| (CC) plus smoking conferred a ninefold higher risk | | | | transition into the use of products for macular |
| of Macular Degeneration, compared with | | | | degeneration or specialized low vision aids. |
| non-smokers with the non-risk (TT) genotype, | | | | How to get more information on low vision |
| while the risk genotype plus higher BMI increased | | | | products - Ask your Eye MD for a Low vision |
| risk of AMD almost sixfold. Gene plus environment | | | | Specialist. Low vision specialists are licensed |
| risk scores provided an area under the receiver | | | | doctors of optometry who are trained in the |
| operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.74-0.76. | | | | examination and management of patients with |
| The attributable risks for the combination of | | | | visual impairments. A few of them are |
| genes and environment were 65 percent to 85 | | | | ophthalmologists with additional training in low |
| percent. | | | | vision care. Their services do not offer a cure for |
| Subjects in this study were white who had either | | | | the causes of low vision, but they do help the |
| advanced macular degeneration or no evidence of | | | | patient learn how to utilize their remaining vision to |
| AMD, based on eye examinations and eye | | | | its fullest potential. Low vision care does not |
| photographs. DNA samples were obtained. DNA | | | | replace the possible need for other treatments |
| samples were genotyped at the Furs Institute | | | | such as laser, medication, and surgery. |