Retinal Vascular Signs As Risk Markers For Incident Stroke Or Cerebrovascular Death: A Population-based Assessment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,199.00
Summary
Stroke remains a major cause of disability and death in Australia. Preliminary data from the Blue Mountains Eye Study suggest that blood vessel changes observed in the retina at the back of the eye may provide signs of an increased risk of stroke or death from stroke. Importantly, although stroke is strongly associated with elevated blood pressure, the risk associated with these blood vessel signs seems to be independent of blood pressure. The proposed study will conduct a detailed re-grading of ....Stroke remains a major cause of disability and death in Australia. Preliminary data from the Blue Mountains Eye Study suggest that blood vessel changes observed in the retina at the back of the eye may provide signs of an increased risk of stroke or death from stroke. Importantly, although stroke is strongly associated with elevated blood pressure, the risk associated with these blood vessel signs seems to be independent of blood pressure. The proposed study will conduct a detailed re-grading of retinal photographs taken on people who attended the Eye Study during 1992-4 and 5-year follow-up exams during 1997-9. We will grade these photographs manually (using a stereo-viewer), and with computer assistance to measure changes in the diameter of small arteries in the retina and other signs. By closely matching our grading technique to that used in a large American Study, we hope to develop reliable grading for these signs and will be able to compare our findings internationally. Our aim is to assess the frequency of abnormal retinal vessel changes in people of different age groups as well as the development and progression of these signs over time. Their relationship to well known vascular risk factors like smoking, blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and cholesterol will also be investigated. We hope to be able to discriminate those changes associated with an increased stroke risk from those due to normal ageing. We expect that the increased stroke risk associated with abnormal retinal vessel changes may be greater than shown in our early data. If confirmed, then these findings may provide a more sensitive and objective measure of stroke risk than relying on traditional risk factors, which are difficult to quantify and change with time. We may be able to develop simple rules so that doctors using an ophthalmoscope or examining a retinal photograph could identify high risk patients. These people could benefit from interventions to reduce their risk.Read moreRead less
A Population-based Study Of Progression And Risk Factors For Age-related Maculopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$776,022.00
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease, commencing with the less severe age-related maculopathy (ARM), that ultimately can lead to the loss of fine central vision and personal independence. People with advanced AMD generally retain some mobility if their peripheral vision is maintained, but they are unable to perform tasks such as reading, hobbies or recognising people's faces. Unfortunately, the available treatment for AMD, macular laser photocoagulation, benefits only ....Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease, commencing with the less severe age-related maculopathy (ARM), that ultimately can lead to the loss of fine central vision and personal independence. People with advanced AMD generally retain some mobility if their peripheral vision is maintained, but they are unable to perform tasks such as reading, hobbies or recognising people's faces. Unfortunately, the available treatment for AMD, macular laser photocoagulation, benefits only a minority of people with this disease. Until safe and effective treatments for AMD can be developed, identification of major risk factors for the development and progression of AMD is essential to determine if interventions aimed at primary prevention can be initiated. This project will expand on the initial findings of the Visual Impairment Project (VIP), a population-based study of age-related eye disease in a cohort of more than 5000 Victorians aged 40 years and older. Data from the VIP have shown that AMD is the most important ophthalmologic public health problem, particularly since AMD is the major cause of vision impairment in Australia and has the least available treatment options. This study will follow individuals who were identified in the VIP with ARM-AMD to determine the natural history and risk factors associated with the longer term progression of AMD. Particular emphasis will be on determining the role of cardiovascular disease risk factors in AMD progression.Read moreRead less
Genes And Environment In The Risk Of Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Population-based Case-Control Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$949,588.00
Summary
This study will pool data from three well-conducted population-based cohorts of older persons to gain a large sample size in order to investigate the interplay of genes and environmental factors on the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study will give insights into AMD pathogenesis, and enable potential targeting of people with AMD susceptibility genes for preventive approaches. These could ultimately reduce the burden of this blinding condition.
Genes And Environment In Late AMD: Pooling A State And Population Resource
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$701,642.00
Summary
This study will pool cases from the West Australian Macular Degeneration database with the Blue Mountains Eye Study (NSW), to investigate the interplay of genes and environmental factors on risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in particular the late, vision threatening stage. It will provide insights into the underlying causes of AMD, and could allow us to target people with AMD susceptibility genes for preventive approaches, which could reduce the burden of this disease.