Prospective study to identify prognostic factors for the progression of age-related maculopathy

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hans-Werner Hense
• Subject Area: Ophthalmology
• Term: from 2000 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5243994

Age-related maculopathy (ARM) is a degenerative disorder and the leading cause of legal blindnes in people 65 years of age or older in developed countries. Although the natural history of ARM has been examined in a number of studies its pathogenesis and the determinants of its progression to late stages are still insufficiently understood. It appears that ARM may be considered a multifactorial disease with susceptibility established by genes and environmental factors influencing its penetrance and severity. Therefore, we propose a 5-year prospective study in a large cohort (N ~ 1,000) of patientes with varying of early and late ARM, screened by opthalmologists in private practice and independently assessed in a study center with internationally standardied diagnostic instruments to identify valid clinical phenotypes of ARM with high external, national and international compatibility. The baseline study (Phase I) covers a period of two years and has the aim to 1) enumerate the cohort of ARM patients, 2) provide a large data base of well-defined clinical ARM phenotypes with externally compatible gradings and standardised risk factor measurements, 3) describe the distribution of morphological stages and clinical severity of ARM in this cohort, and 4) investigate the associations between ARM and genetic, environmental, and medical factors (The subsequent prospective follow-up by identical re-examination of all patients after three and five years (phases II and III) will identify determinants of ARM progression. It is not subject of this grant application).

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1088: Age-Related Macular Degeneration
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Daniel Pauleikhoff