Citizens Of Reykjavik Research Articles

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Cornea Guttata in the Reykjavik Eye Study

To establish the age- and gender-specific prevalence of cornea guttata (CG) in citizens of Reykjavik, Iceland, 55 years and older. Cross-sectional, random, population-based study. The 774 participants were those participating in the second examination of the Reykjavik Eye Study. At baseline, we had a response rate of 75.8%, and at the 5-year follow-up, 88% of the survivors participated. We used slit-lamp and non-contact specular microscopy and endothelial specular photography as well as computer-assisted morphometry. We used a standardized grading system for CG. Diagnosis of primary central CG. The prevalence of CG is 11% for females and 7% for males both for right eyes and left eyes. Higher weight and higher body mass index are found to be associated with decreased risk of CG. Having smoked more than 20 pack-years increased the risk of CG more than 2-fold (P<0.02). Cornea guttata seem to be found more commonly in women than in men. Smoking for more than 20 pack-years increases the risk of developing CG more than 2-fold.

5-year incidence of age-related maculopathy in the Reykjavik Eye Study

To examine the age- and gender-specific 5-year incidence of age-related maculopathy (ARM) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in citizens of Reykjavik. Population-based, prospective cohort study. The cohort was a population-based random sample of citizens 50 years and older. Of 1379 eligible subjects, 1045 had a baseline examination in 1996; 846 of the 958 survivors (88.2%) had a 5-year follow-up examination in 2001. The incidence of various characteristics of drusen and pigmentary changes that are typical of ARM were determined using the international classification and grading system for ARM and AMD. Early ARM and AMD were assessed by masked grading of stereo fundus photographs. Hypopigmentation developed at 5 years in 10.7% of people 50 to 59 years of age (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.9-14.4) and in 25.7% those 70 to 79 years of age (95% CI, 18.4-33.0) at baseline. Age-related macular degeneration developed in no one who was 50 to 59 years of age at baseline. Geographic atrophy (GA) developed in 4.6% (95% CI, 1.2-7.9) and exudative AMD in none of those who were 70 years and older at baseline. Geographic atrophy is the predominant type of AMD in Iceland, and the ratio of GA to neovascular AMD is higher than in racially similar populations.

Risk factors for nuclear lens opacification: the Reykjavik Eye Study.

The purpose of this study is to examine risk factors for nuclear lens opacification in citizens of Reykjavik. 1,045 persons, 583 females and 462 males aged 50 years and older, were randomly sampled and underwent a detailed eye examination and answered a questionnaire. In all Scheimpflug photography of the anterior eye segment was done including the lens as well as retroilluminated photography of the lens. These photographs were used for the diagnosis of lens opacification. The data was analyzed using a logistic regression model. An increased risk for all grades of nuclear opacifications was found with ageing (OR = 1.228, 95% CI = 1.192-1.264, p = 0.000), cigarette smoking for more than 20 pack/years (OR = 2.521, 95% CI = 1.521-4.125, p = 0.000) and pipe or cigar smoking (OR = 2.478, 95% CI = 1.200-5.116, p = 0.014). Outdoor exposure, cortical lens opacification grade II and III and computer usage were not found to be linked to higher risk of nuclear opacification. No correlation was found between nuclear opacification and the consumption of vitamins, herring, sardines and shrimps, cod-liver oil or plant oil, nor were iris color, hyperopia, systemic steroid use, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation found to have a significant effect. Ageing is a major risk factor for nuclear lens opacification, and smoking is a major modifiable risk factor. Cortical and nuclear lens opacifications do not share the same modifiable risk factors.