Association between sunlight exposure and risk of age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis

Hongjie Zhou,Aiqing Yu,Jiajun Xie,Huina Zhang

doi:10.1186/s12886-018-1004-y

Abstract

BackgroundA substantial number of epidemiological studies have investigated the possible associations between sunlight exposure and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), but the results from studies are inconsistent. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between sunlight exposure and the risk of AMD.MethodsRelevant studies were searched using databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science database. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality. The random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled covariates-adjusted odds ratio (OR). Subgroup analyses based on study design, stage of AMD, method of exposure assessment, and study latitude were carried out. The heterogeneity across the studies was tested, as was publication bias.ResultsFourteen eligible studies including 43,934 individuals based on the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The pooled OR for sunlight exposure and AMD was 1.10 (95% CI = 0.98–1.23). In addition, similar insignificant results were observed in further subgroup analyses based on stage of AMD, method of exposure assessment, and study latitude. Sun-avoidance behavior did not decrease the risk of AMD (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.76–1.67). Moderate heterogeneity was observed in most of analyses.ConclusionThe results indicate that sunlight exposure may not be associated with increased risk of AMD based on current published data.

Highlights

A substantial number of epidemiological studies have investigated the possible associations between sunlight exposure and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), but the results from studies are inconsistent
Neither lower latitude (OR = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.85–1.53), nor higher latitude affected the study results, which suggests that latitude doesn’t affect the strength of the association between sunlight exposure and AMD
A total of 8 studies assessed sunlight exposure levels based on time spent outdoors [14, 18, 20,21,22, 24, 26, 27], 5 studies were based on occupational exposure to sunlight [14, 19, 20, 25, 27], 2 studies were based on living in a sunny region or sunny climate [16, 20], 3 studies were based on calculated doses of sunlight or blue light [15, 23, 25], and 6 studies were based on avoidance of the sun. [16, 17, 23,24,25, 27]

Summary

Introduction

A substantial number of epidemiological studies have investigated the possible associations between sunlight exposure and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), but the results from studies are inconsistent. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between sunlight exposure and the risk of AMD. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive chronic disease of the central retina and a leading cause of vision loss worldwide [1]. It accounts for approximately 50% of all cases of central blindness among older people in western countries [2].

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion